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A lovely pair of Early Georgian Hanoverian dessert or Child's spoons, made by the leading Huguenot spoonmaker of his day. The spoons are nicely proportioned, and have a double drop. The spoons are engraved on the back (as is usual for this period) with an interesting original family armorial, an Eagle wearing crown, clutching a quarter circle (sextant?) in its talon. The spoons are bottom marked, as is usual for this period, as a result the hallmarks are slightly squashed but still clearly legible, including makers mark PH under acorn for Paul Hanet. The date letter K is also clear, in unusual square outline (only K and M, 1725 and 1727, are not in Norman Shield, the only anomalies between 1561 and 1739), the second spoon is 1726, these hallmarks are worn but still discenable. Paul Hanet is described by Grimwade (London Goldsmiths, page 532) "from the evidence of the survival of pieces bearing his mark, Hanet was clearly one of the principal Huguenot spoonmakers of his day". Hanet entered his first London mar...
An Irish Provincial toddy ladle in the Fiddle pattern, with original owners engraved initial H. The ladle has an old and crudely done repair to the bowl, a circular piece has been let in, the solder marks clearly visible, approximately 1.5 cm in diameter. These toddy ladles are usually Scottish in origin, but Irish examples are known, one is illustrated in the book "Celebration of Limerick Silver, page 132. The ladle is clearly hallmarked "STERLING" in rectangular punch with rounded corners, the letters irregular, so clearly a provincial "home made" punch. No makers mark is present. This sterling hallmark was used by Irish provincial makers, Cork but also Limerick, to denote the standard, these are rare items today. Given the repair we cannot recommend this ladle for use, but hopefully it is of interest to a collector researching different variations of the Sterling marks.
A lovely Irish silver Bright Cut Celtic Point tablespoon, with traditional Dublin Star cut on the terminal. The spoon has an oval cartouche, with engraved family crest of a Griffin holding branch with leaves, this is crisp and clear. The spoon is bottom marked, and unusually has excellent hallmarks (bottom marked hallmarks are oftern squashed), they could not be better. The include Dublin Hibernia and Harp Crowned, date letter O for 1786, and makers mark J.S for John Shiels (or Sheils) who worked between 1762 and 1790.
A beautiful pair of sterling silver fruit serving spoons, made by Bailey & Co of Philadelphia between 1871 and 1878. The spoons have bright cut bowls which are gold washed, the handles also have a lovely design with palm leaves, we have not been able to identify the pattern (assistance welcome). The spoons have engraved owners initials MII in fancy script. The hallmarks are clear on both spoons, "STERLING PAT 1871, 1A, BAILEY & Co." The bowls also have an additional hallmark, an ornate shield with fancy design. Bailey & Co worked between 1832 and 1878 when they became Bailey, Banks & Biddle, they still exist today. Joseph & Charles Bailey are remembered for excellent quality, these spoons are no exception. The firm claimed the distinction of being the first to introduce the sterling 925 British standard to the American public, at the time the standard was 900 (Rainwater, Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, page 33).
A Irish Georgian silver tablespoon, in the Old English pattern, with original owners engraved initials PRM. The spoon has a lovely feel, full of character, with quite a large bowl. The hallmarks are bottom marked, and very clear, they could not be better. They include Dublin Hibernia, Crowned Harp, date letter R for 1765 and makers mark C.S in diamond punch, with star above and below, very distinctive. Skinner worked between 1739 and 1765, so this spoon was made right at the end of his career. He was a highly respected silversmith, he was elected Warden in 1751, Master in 1754 and in 1755 was elected to the Dublin City Common Council (Bennett, Collecting Irish Silver, page 153).
A mixed set of antique American sterling silver, comprising of an olive spoon and olive fork. The spoon is Towle Empire pattern, patent 1894, with gold wash pierced bowl, this is a beautiful spoon. It was designed by George P Tilton, and has no monogramme. The fork is by Clark & Biddle, made between 1866 and 1870, it has a twisted stem, 3 tines with barbs, and intricate engraving. The fork has engraved owners initial P in fancy script, and is also engraved on the back "Thanksgiving 02", we assume 1902. Both items are clearly hallmarked.
An Irish Provincial silver Bright Cut Celtic Point tablespoon, made in Cork and hallmarked in Dublin in 1804. The spoon is quite large, over 23 cm, and has intricate bright cut engraving, the quality is excellent. The spoon has engraved family crest of a Boar's head, this too is beautifully engraved, and very crisp and clear. The hallmarks are clear, Dublin hallmarks for 1804, and JK in script makers mark for Joseph Kinselagh of Cork, he worked between 1802 and 1807, he may have been a descendant of earlier silversmith of same name, 1750-1783, perhaps the makers mark was passed down the family. More research is required on this maker.
A mixed set of 6 Irish silver tablespoons, all with excellent hallmarks. 3 spoons are Old English pattern (a matching pair by John Pittar, 1779, bottom marked, with worn shellbacks, and a spoon by Michael Keating, 1799), and 3 are Fiddle pattern (1805 by J.S, 1812 by Richard Sawyer and 1832 by Samuel Neville, this last spoon has a rat-tail. 3 spoons have engraved family crest, 2 spoons have engraved initials, and one spoon has not been engraved. All 6 spoons have well struck and clear Dublin hallmarks, and clear makers marks.
A Gorham sterling silver Louis XIV pattern pickle knife, with a pair of matching master salt spoons. The pattern is striking, described as "17 th Century Magnificence", named after King Louis Quatorze of France, who "made his reign famous for it's splendour". The pickle knife (similar to an English butter knife) is bright cut and gilded, with no monogramme, which the 2 saltspoons have goldwash bowls and engraved initials G. The hallmarks are clear on all 3 items, "Patent 1870, Sterling, and the Gorham lion, anchor and gothic G. Gorham Corporation, which still exists today, was founded in 1831, they dominated the solid silver flatware market in the USA for 125 years (Gorham Silver, page 50).
A set of 6 sterling silver grapefruit spoons in the Kings pattern, double struck, in excellent condition, they appear unused. The spoons are very ggood quality and weight, over 30 grammes each, and the hallmarks are excellent on all 6 spoons. Cooper Brothers was established in 1866, they were successful manufacturers, eventually being sold in 1983. The original box has a label that reads "Bracher & Sydenham, Queen Victoria Street, Reading, est 1790", the firm has a long and illustrious history, and still operates today after being acquired by Goldsmiths chain in 1974. They received a Royal warrant from King Edward VII, who visited the shop personally. Note - 5 spoons are 1966, one is 1965, so made over the date letter change.
A pair of antique silver serving spoons, with beautiful pierced and engraved handles, in pristine condition. The detail of the piercing is excellent, an architectural feature surrounded by foliage. The spoons are a useful size, ideal for serving. The spoons appear to have never been used, such a pity for such beautiful items. The hallmarks on both spoons are clear, and include makers mark for the Sheffield firm of Hawksworth & Eyre, who worked between 1841 and 1932, when they were taken over by Ellis of Barker Brothers. Charles Hawksworth and John Eyre exhibited a wide variety of goods at the Great Exhibition of 1851, they had showrooms in London Fleet Street and Montreal, Canada. (Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, page 222).
A rare early Cape Silver spoon, in the Hanoverian pattern. The spoon is a lovely shape, long and elegant. The spoon has makers mark DHS, with some wear but clearly visible, along with a bunch of grapes with vine leaves in a circular punch (mark 109 in Cape Silver by Welz). The spoon also has a small Dutch ZII hallmark, for 835 purity, indicating the spoon was imported into the Netherlands at some stage. The spoon also has a small owners cross hatch scratch mark next to the makers mark. Schmidt arrived in the Cape from Strelitz, Germany, as a soldier in 1768. He worked as a sword cutler for the Dutch East India Company, and became a burgher and silversmith in 1779. He died in 1811 (Cape Silver by Welz, pg 139). He is described by David Heller (in his book History of Cape Silver) as the "greatest Cape silversmith". Heller goes so far to describe Schmidt as a "master craftsman, whose work can be compared to Paul Storr" (History of Cape Silver, pg 79). Note - we have two matching forks, S 11124 and S11125.
A boxed set of six sterling silver Hanoverian pattern teapoons, with matching sugar tongs. The spoons all have rat tails, and the tongs have the spoon pattern repeated on the arms. The quality is good, as you would expect from Mappin & Webb. The original box reads "Mappin & Webb Ltd, Regent Street, London W", this would have been an expensive item when new. All 7 items have excellent hallmarks, the 6 spoons are 1919, the tongs 1920. Mappin and Webb was founded in 1859, it still exists today and is one of Britain's most prestigious brands. In addition to Royal Warrants, Mappin and Webb are the Crown Jeweller.
A set of 6 Victorian silver trefid teaspoons, with lovely bright cut engraving. The spoons have the traditional trefid shape, with 2 deep notches, and a wide flattened terminal. The spoons are engraved in Victorian style, with scrolls and and leaves, zig zags and hatching, the quality of the engraving is superb, these spoons will sparkle in candlelight. The spoons are in excellent condition, and appear to never have been used, a pity with such lovely spoons. The original box reads " Forsyth & Co, Jewellers, Pietermaritzburg, Natal", the box itself is excellent quality, silk and velvet interior. The hallmarks on a 6 spoons are excellent. Forsyth & Co still exists today, they date back to before 1897, as an advert from 1897 has been found (see photograph). Hilliard & Thomason were manufacturing silversmiths who worked from Spencer Street, Birmingham, between 1847 and 1902. They exhibited at the Great Exhibition on 1851.
A South African sterling silver military caddy spoon, with an applied badge of the SAPPERS, the South African Engineers Corps. The badge is a flaming grenade (inherited from the British), the button below reads "South Africa Suid Afrika" , so both English and Afrikaans, the bage is a coppery gold colour, we are not sure of it's composition. The caddy spoon has a rounded bowl, with wide flat handle with a series of indents, this pattern (and others with slight variations) was designed by RMP (Royal Mint Pretoria), which became the SAM (South African Mint) in 1941. The spoon is good quality, and has a pleasing weight. Similar designed caddy spoons, by both RMP AND SAM, can be seen elsewhere on Leopard Antiques (S1362, S1652, and S1762). The spoon is hallmarked "STER SIL", clearly struck, no other hallmarks are present. We have tentatively dated this spoon to the World War II period, when the SA Engineers saw distinguished service in Italy, but it could be earlier (1923-1939).
A set of 12 identical sterling silver golf trophy spoons, all with identical engraving of BIGC in Gothic script (or IBGC) for a golf club. The spoons are great quality, with cast handles featuring golf clubs and balls, the club handles are also textured. The spoons are all in excellent condition, they do not appear to have been used, and have no engraving on the bowls. They are contained in a box which looks like it was custom made for the set, with purple velvet. All 12 spoons have very clear hallmarks, 9 were made by Robert Chandler (dates 1907-1910), and 3 were made by William James Dingley (2 are 1912, one later at 1925). We assume these were trophy spoons, won over the years by a golfer, who decided to safeguard them with a custom made box.
An interesting set of 6 sterling silver rat tail Hanoverian pattern teaspoons, retailed by Liberty, made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, with hallmarks from 6 different towns - London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Chester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The spoons have engraved owners initials J&J. All 6 spoons also have the optional coronation mark used in 1952 and 1953. All of the hallmarks are well struck and excellent, note the different style makers mark for Roberts & Belk used on the London spoon. The spoons are in original box (note condition and water damage from photos), exterior reads "British Hallmarks", interior reads "Liberty, British Hallmarks, London Leopards Head. Birmingham anchor, Sheffield crown, Chester three sheaves with sword, Glasgow Tree, Edinburgh castle", with pictures of the hallmarks. This set would make an excellent gift to a young collector interested in hallmarks.
A lovely pair of Early Georgian Hanoverian dessert or Child's spoons, made by the leading Huguenot spoonmaker of his day. The spoons are nicely proportioned, and have a double drop. The spoons are engraved on the back (as is usual for this period) with an interesting original family armorial, an Eagle wearing crown, clutching a quarter circle (sextant?) in its talon. The spoons are bottom marked, as is usual for this period, as a result the hallmarks are slightly squashed but still clearly legible, including makers mark PH under acorn for Paul Hanet. The date letter K is also clear, in unusual square outline (only K and M, 1725 and 1727, are not in Norman Shield, the only anomalies between 1561 and 1739). The lion passant and crowned leopards head town marks are partially visible. Paul Hanet is described by Grimwade (London Goldsmiths, page 532) "from the evidence of the survival of pieces bearing his mark, Hanet was clearly one of the principal Huguenot spoonmakers of his day". Hanet entered his first Lond...
A set of six sterling silver teaspoons, made in 1952 and carrying the coronation hallmark used to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, The spoons are an unusual pattern, with Fiddle pattern style shoulders, notched finial (2 corners cut away), and 4 engraved bands between notches, overall an attractive pattern. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons.
Note - The Delft spoon has been sold, only the Amsterdam spoon is available. Price listed is for Amsterdam spoon only.
Two 18th century Dutch silver Memorial or Figural spoons, very similar in style so we have grouped them together. Both spoons have figures mounted on pedestals, auricular style triangular handles, rudimentary rat tails and deep gilded spoon bowls (deep lemon colour). The first spoon from Amsterdam has a figure holding a long implement with notches (all suggestions welcome), and has a hole under his arm (possibly a missing piece?). The handle or stem is triangular, with zig zag scratches, the 4 hallmarks grouped on back of bowl at left side are clear (as is usual for Amsterdam spoons of this period). The marks include makers mark JS in oval punch (very clear), for Johannes Selling, date letter V (1780), Dutch purity lion for first grade (934) silver, and Amsterdam town mark. The spoon has a later well struck mark struck in the bowl, the axe or hatchet mark, used between 1853 ...
A set of 6 rat tail trefid coffee spoons, reproductions of a 17th century style, but just a few years short of being antique themselves. The spoons are in excellent condition, they do not appear to have been used. The original box reads "Wilson & Gill, The Goldsmiths, 139 Regent Street, London W", under a crown. Wilson and Gill was established in 1892, it still trades today as Hester Clarke (www.hesterclarke.co.uk), run by the 5th generation descendants. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons, including makers mark TB&S for Thomas Bradbury & Sons, a leading Sheffield manufacturer.
A beautiful set of 6 art deco gilded sterling silver and enamel coffee spoons, with seal top finials. The gilding is a deep yellow colour, which provides a lovely contrast to the enamel. The back of the spoon bowls are beautifully decorated with fan shaped guilloche enamel, in 6 different bold colours (green, red, yellow, purple and light and dark blue). Guilloche enamel is a technique where a precise pattern is engraved on the silver base using a rose engine lathe, also called engine turning. The hallmarks on all 6 spoons are clear, including makers mark SLd for William Suckling Ltd, who worked between 1922 and 1955.
A pair of lovely steam train sterling silver spoons, depicting the Rovos Rail steam train and wagons of Southern Africa. The spoons have good detail, and show steam train, caol wagon, water wagon and passenger compartment. The passenger wagon has engraved initials RVR for Rovos Rail (see www.rovos.com), the spoons have teaspoon sixed bowls but the handles are longer. The handles are cast silver and pierced. Both spoons are hallmarked with makers mark "C.M" for Cape Mint, and also "SIL" for sterling silver. We assume the spoons were made to commemorate the opening of Rovos Rail in 1986. Rovos Rail is a luxury rail service operating in Southern Africa, the Pride of Africa has been described as the "most luxurious train in the world".
A delightful pair of miniature silver toy spoons, in the Hanoverian pattern, with scroll backs. The spoons have original owners engraved initials J.P and S.P respectively, the engraving is crude, done by an amateur, but with loads of character (one possibility is these were given to twins as birth spoons). The engraving is on the back of the spoons, as is usual with 18th century examples. The spoons are clearly a matching pair, but have differences in the handle sizes (one being slightly wider), so clearly hand made. Both spoons have 2 hallmarks, lion passant and makers mark WP for William Pinder, marks are slightly worn, one is better than the other. Pinder was a smallworker, he worked between 1770 and 1784. Small spoons smaller than teaspoon size have traditionally been described as snuff spoons, they vary from 4 to 9 cm, (1.5 - 3.5 inches). Newer research has noted the wide variety of sizes, and suggested the smaller ones are snuff, and larger ones are toy spoons. Scroll back spoons were popular 1760-1770,...
A rat tail Hanoverian pattern tablespoon, with clear hallmarks. The spoon the traditional rat tail used before 1730, the Hanoverian rib on the front of the stem, and original owners engraved initials W*C on the back of the stem, as is usual for 18th century spoons. 3 hallmarks are very clear, the crowned leopards head has excellent detail. The makers mark W.S in oval punch is partially worn, the W slightly worn. William Soame was freed in 1720, he was a largeworked, he died in 1772, after being retired "many years". (Grimwade page 665, mark 3295).
A Cape Silver lemoen lepel, (orange spoon), in good condition, and with very clear makers mark. This spoon is typical of the Cape lemoen lepels, with pointed terminal and bowl, the bowl itself eye shaped and quite deep. The spoon has typical Cape engraving, with a 4 petal flower and wrigglework along the edges of the handles. It also has a distinctive V joint connecting handle to bowl. The spoon has a slight copper tinge, this is exaggerated in the photographs. The IC makers mark is well struck and clear (Welz mark 32 with canted corners). Welz describes orange spoons as"probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). As far as we are aware, only Jan Lotter and Johannes combrink made lemoen lepels, probably between 1800 and 1815. Note - this spoon matches the pair S 1922 and single S 1923.
A great quality early Georgian Hanoverian tablespoon, with excellent hallmarks. The spoon has no engraving, a long (almost double) drop, and a long elegant shaped bowl. The spoon is 70 grammes, so quite heavy, quite pleasing to hold. All 4 hallmarks are excellent, which is unusual as the marks are often squashed on these early spoons. They include lion passant and leopards head crowned, both with good detail, date letter d for 1739 and makers mark P.R in script, under shell in oval, in unusual punch shape, (Grimwade mark 2229), described as "domed grooveform" (Poole, Identifying British Silver, page 15). Philip Roker was born in 1693, apprenticed to specialist spoonmaker Joseph Barbutt in 1707, and freed in 1720 (so an unusually long apprenticeship). he worked in Westminster and Greenwich as a largeworker and spoonmaker, until his death in 1757. He used this mark between 1739 and 1743. His father and sons were also silversmiths.
A matching set of six antique silver teaspoons and 2 saltspoons, all engraved with an Earl's coronet above monogram with letter C. The monogram is quite intricate, 2 S scrolls intertwined, with central letter C. The spoons are good quality, teaspoons 28 grammes each, all have a double drop. The hallmarks are clear on all 8 spoons, the makers mark LAC is only lightly struck, but still visible. Lionel Alfred Crichton, 1890-1938, was known for it's fine quality replica silver. Lionel Crichton also set auction records for silver purchases in 1914, he paid the record sum of 5600 pounds at Christies for a silver standing salt, dated 1508 (Henry VIII), from Lord Ashburnham's collection. He had retail outlets in Bond Street London, and New York.
A beautiful matching antique Swedish silver souvenir spoon and fork, with exquisite detail, featuring Stockholms Slott. Both are gilded, and have the Swedish Coat of Arms with red and blue enamel, on an ornate pedestal, with gadrooned stem, and rectangular feature at the base, The spoon bowl features "Stockholms Slott", with fabulous detail, palace, equestrian statue, trees, streetlights and pedestrians. Both are clearly hallmarked, C.G. Hallberg, triple crown national mark, Stockholm town mark and date letters T6 and U6 for 1896 and 1897. The original box, in full working order, reads "H.K.H. Kronprinsens Hof Juvelerare, C.G. Hallberg, Stockholm, Goteborg". Without doubt one of the best quality and nicest souvenir sets we have seen.
A set of fabulous quality antique silver teaspoons, in the Fiddle and Thread pattern, made by the leading silversmiths of the Victorian era. The teaspoons are quite large and a very pleasing weight, over 30 grammes each, they have engraved initials AMI. The hallmarks are excellent on all 6 teaspoons.
An exceptionally large Danish silver serving spoon, in the Old Danish pattern (Dobbelt riflet), wih matching large bowl. The spoon is single struck, the pattern has a reeded edge, and the handle is fluted. This type of extremely large serving spoon is unique to Denmark, very suitable for serving a generous portion. The hallmarks include the Danish 3 towers mark (well struck but date letter not visible), makers mark VELTZIN, and an additional mark which reads 13L4G, which we think is a standard mark for 13 loth silver (812 purity). The makers mark Veltzin appears rare, we have not been able to trace this maker, or confirm the meaning of the 13L4G mark, all assistance welcome. We have sold a similar spoon S1293, and have a similar example S 11029.
A "New Nautilus" novelty silver sugar sifter, complete with patent and registration number. The bowl of the sifter is a nautilus shell, the top edge of the shell has 28 pierced leaf shaped sifter holes, the shell is realistically modeled. The handle is joined to the shell at right angles, to allow ease of use during sifting. The handle has an interesting unknown pattern, not found in the book " Silver Flatware" by Pickford, it appears to be a variant of Albert pattern, and is single struck. The hallmarks are clear, the handle also has a registration number indicating the design was registered. The shell has a patent number, PAT 17124, so this design was patented as well, quite unusual for silver flatware. The nautilus is a living fossil, dating back 500 million years, it is a cephalopod named after Sailor in Greek. Nautilus shell cups decorated in silver and gold became popular in the 16th century, the nautilus became popular again in Victorian times, first as spoon warmers, this sifter design is late Victori...
A beautiful pair of miniature antique silver pastry servers, perfectly preserved in their original box. The servers are in the Kings Husk pattern, single struck, this is a variant of the Kings pattern without the central honeysuckle decoration, and a husk shell. Both servers are a similar size and shape, one had a flat spade shape blade and the other has a serrated prong front, so quite versatile. The hallmarks on both are very clear. The box reads "By Appointment to his Excellency The Governor of Cape Colony, Morris Bros, Jewellers & Silversmiths, Kimberley & Johannesburg". We have not been able to trace any information about Morris Brothers, all assistance welcome. Note - We have now traced a 1905 advert for John Round & Son, they claim to be "The largest spoon and fork makers in the world".
A rare pair of Tudor pattern sauce ladles, made by Chawner & Co, the leading flatware maker of Victorian England. The ladles are fabulous quality, and in excellent condition, they could not be better. The Tudor pattern is a Gothic Revival pattern, it has 2 small scroll circular projections on each side of the stem, this differentiates it from the "Straight Tudor" pattern. Both ladles are clearly hallmarked, they also carry the British Registry design number and date chart diamond, which rarely occurs on silver flatware - class I for metal, date letter v for 1850, and R 14 indicating 14 August. The presence of the design mark indicates the Chawner design to protect their innovative design. Tudor is described by Pickford (Silver Flatware page 150) as "a rare Chawner & Co pattern registered August 14th 1850, along with Straight Tudor, it appears in the Chawner Pattern book (page 218). Odd pieces may on rare occasions, be found, but building a service would be extremely difficult". The Tudor pattern is showcased...
A set of six Victorian Scottish silver spoons, with matching tongs, in a Grecian pattern variant, not present in the book Silver Flatware by Ian Pickford, so we believe to be rare. The spoons can best be described as very large teaspoons, but definitely more suitable for eating dessert. The spoons and tongs have original owners engraved initials CS in fancy script. The pattern is very similar to Grecian, but noticeable differences include a shell at the top of the stem, and small beads as a border of the stem. The pattern is single struck, as is usual for Scottish flatware. Grecian pattern is a mid 19th century pattern, first exhibited by George Adams of Chawner & Co. at the Great Exhibition of 1851, the pattern is also present in the Chawner pattern book (pages 144, 145 and 218 of Pickford book above). The hallmarks are excellent on all 7 items, they could not be clearer, and include the Glasgow town mark with tree and fish. Robert Scott worked from Buchanan Street, Glasgow between 1849 and 1927. We really l...
A pair of sterling silver serving spoons, with large bowls, ideal for serving decent portions. The spoons have rounded bowls with good depth, the handles are decorated with a bright cut border with small engraved flowers. The spoons are a pleasing weight, and have been perfectly preserved in their original box. The hallmarks on both spoons are excellent. The box is also in good condition, marked "Depree & Young Ltd, Silversmiths, Exeter", just missing lid closure clasp. Depree & Young traded from High Street, Exeter, from Victorian times (originally Depree, Raeburn and Young until 1908), they were Gold & Silversmiths, Watchmakers & Jewellers.
A set of Art Deco sterling silver demitasse or coffee spoons, perfectly preserved in original box. The spoons have a horseshoe shaped bowl, and long elegant tapered handles. All 6 spoons have clear hallmarks. The box reads "L Pinn & Co, Jewellers, 43-45 Adderley Street, Cape Town. Lazerus Pinn was a Lithuanian emigrant who arrived in Cape Town in the 1880's, he opened the jewellery store in 1893, it has remained in the family and still trades today under the leadership of Jeremy Pinn.
A set of six Art Deco sterling silver grapefruit spoons, in perfect condition. The spoons have fluted bowls, with strong tips for digging into grapefruit, the bowls are also gilded. The finials are pierced, the design looks like a stylised Fleur-De-Lys, reminds us of a Gothic arch. All 6 spoons have clear hallmarks.
A private die silver serving or basting spoon featuring a King Protea, South Africa's national flower. The pattern is single struck, and contains a well modelled King Protea on the end of the spoon, the stem is decorated with a triple ribbed pattern with bands, ending in a diamond shape at the spoon bowl. We imagine this is a rare pattern, probably a special commission for a South African event or for a family with South African ties (all suggestions welcome). The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark R.C for William Comyns & Sons, a firm that dates back to 1856, and still exists today. They are an important firm, their archive contains over 30 thousand patterns (in the V&A), they made all the coronets for the Queen's coronation. The spoon also has an additional hallmark in a very strange place, at the back of the spoon where the stem joins the bowl, this mark is circular and contains 3 C's in a pattern, we have now established this back to back C's hallmark is a trademark used exclusively by William C...
A set of 6 matching sterling silver golf teaspoons, with embossed crossed golf clubs and ball at the top of each spoon, with reeded border. The spoons are a good quality and weight. Hallmarks are clear on all 6 teaspoons. Walker and Hall were a large and successful firm, they worked between 1882 and 1960.
A Scottish Provincial toddy ladle, made by David Manson in Dundee. The toddy ladle is in the Fiddle pattern, and has original owners engraved initials RG. The ladle has 4 hallmarks, a partially struck D makers mark for Manson, and 3 well struck and clear "pot of lilies", from the Dundee coat of arms. Manson worked between 1809 and 1830, his work is quite scarce.
An interesting antique silver spoon, used as a prize in a rifle shooting competition in Natal (now Kwazulu Natal), South Africa. The stem has the cast inscription "For Making The Possible", the back of the bowl has an applied plaque, the emblem of the Natal Rifle Association. It contains a seated Boer soldier on a horse, with the motto "Semper Parati" (Always Prepared), and the date 1862, we assume the date the association was formed. The horse and rider are well modelled, as can be seen in the photos. Semper Parati is now the motto of the Boy Scout movement, perhaps Baden Powell encountered it during his time in South Africa during the Boer war.
The spoon was made by the highly regarded Levi & Salaman, and has Birmingham hallmarks for 1904. We had a similar spoon, S 1563, now sold, with the same NRA plaque, but motto "For making the Bulls Eye".
A boxed set of pure silver (990 grade) Korean silver rice spoons and forks, 6 of each, with enamel mandarin duck pairs on the handle. The spoons and forks are the traditional shape, the forks have 3 tines, the colour is a very bright white, given the very high grade (99% pure vs sterling which is 92.5 % pure, hence 925 grade). The six rice spoons have red enamel mandarin ducks, the forks have blue enamel mandarin ducks. All 12 are clearly hallmarked "AG990". The Mandarin duck, also called "Wedding Ducks" in South Korea, represent fidelity as they mate for life, and are traditionally given as wedding gifts, red for female and blue for male, hence the enamel colours. The red velvet box has a geometric design and Hangul (Korean writing) figures, the interior lid is embossed "Prime Minister Republic of Korea, under Prime Minister's emblem", so we assume this was a wedding gift from the Prime Minister. This set is accompanied by its original quality guanantee certificate, issued by a member of the Korea Jeweller's...
A set of three sterling silver tablespoons in the popular Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, with engraved Marais Family coat of arms, which is very clear. The spoons are a substantial size and weight, 105 grammes each, the quality is excellent (tablespoons over 100 grammes are rare). The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark D&J W, for Daniel & John Wellby, who worked between 1827 and 1974 from Garrick Street, London. The Marais family coat of arms is described as "Azure, a chain sable fesswise, in chief a crescent reversed and a base of two hills vert" - Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 53, depicted on Plate 18, no 280, of the Bell Krynauw Collection. It dates back to Charles Marais of the farm Plasir de Merle, who arrived in the Cape in 1688, and was "murdered by a Hottentot on the farm in 1689". Note - we have other matching items with the Marais Family armorial.
A Versace Medusa silver plated sauce ladle, made for Versace by Rosenthal. The ladle is great quality, and has a pleasing feel in the hand. The ladle has the Versace Medusa head on the front, and a bead pattern on the rear. It is engraved "Versace Rosenthal 150". The ladle comes in it's original Versace box, with the Medusa logo and "Rosenthal studio-linie" in gold print. This ladle retails for Euro 345 on the Rosenthal website.
A matching antique sterling silver knife, fork and spoon, made as a Christening present. They are dessert size, and in an unusual scrolling pattern, possibly an Onslow pattern variant. This scrolling pattern reminds us of the Auricular style, a 17th century German Mannerism style, rarely seen today. The knife has a pistol grip, the blade is also hallmarked sterling silver. They are gilded with a rich golden colour, this gilding is original. All 3 items are clearly hallmarked, the knife handle has an additional FH makers mark for Francis Higgins, so the knife handle was outsourced. F.B. Thomas & Co. was a well known firm of retail silversmiths, established in 1759. Francis Boone Thomas joined the firm aged 21 in 1851, he took control in 1871, he died age 71 in 1900. The firm traded until 1941 when it was severely damaged in an air raid during World War II.
A set of 6 Prussian silver teaspoons, made in Danzig, now Gdansk, Poland. The spoons are a lovely shape, with long elegant pointed terminals and elongated bowls, more similar to grapefruit or fruit spoons, or lemoen lepels in Dutch. The spoons have bright cut engraving, designed to reflect in candle light, and cartouche for initials. The original owners prick engraved initials G.V. J are very faintly visible. The spoons have 3 hallmarks, most marks are clear, some partially obscured. They include Danzig town mark (2 maltese crosses below crown) in irregular shield, used between 1790 and 1799, makers mark JGS in script, and a large cursive E, we believe this is the assay master mark rather than a date letter, all suggestions welcome. We have identified a Danzig silversmith Johannes Gottlieb Stegmann whose makers mark was JGS, he worked between 1772 and 1804, but his published mark (www.agraart.pl/silver), is different, not the script style as here, so it is possible we have mis-identified the silversmith, all...
A beautiful pair of Salters Company silver spoons, with the Salters Company coat of arms, and motto "Sal Sapit Omnia" (salt flavours all) on a banner wrapped around the stem. The bowls have a traditional shell design, these are very attractive spoons. The back of the armorial is embossed with the date "May 12 1853", which commemorates the date the Salters Company acquired ownership of it's Irish estates. The spoons are very good quality, are a good weight, and are perfectly preserved in their original box. The box reads "Carrington & Co. To his Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, 130 Regent St W". Carrington & Co was established in 1873 by John Bodman Carrington, it still trades today. They were a very prestigious firm when these spoons were made, they had Royal warrants from Queen Victoria, Kings Edward VII and George V, as well as Czar Nicholas of Russia. The Salters Company is one of the 12 great livery companies of London, ranked 9th in order of precedence. Their origins were in the salt tr...
A lovely set of 6 antique sterling silver coffee spoons (also called demitasse or 5 o'clock teaspoons), in the Marguerite pattern, which was designed by William Codman in 1901. The pattern has flowers and foliage, these are dainty and pretty spoons. No monogrammes are present, and all 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked "STERLING PAT. 1901", and the Gorham lion, anchor and gothic G. Gorham Corporation, which still exists today, was founded in 1831, they dominated the solid silver flatware market in the USA for 125 years (Gorham Silver, page 50).
A fabulous sterling silver basting spoon (gravy or serving spoon) in the popular Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, with engraved Marais Family coat of arms, which is very clear. The basting spoon is a substantial size and weight, the quality is excellent. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark D&J W, for Daniel & John Wellby, who worked between 1827 and 1974 from Garrick Street, London. The Marais family coat of arms is described as "Azure, a chain sable fesswise, in chief a crescent reversed and a base of two hills vert" - Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 53, depicted on Plate 18, no 280, of the Bell Krynauw Collection. It dates back to Charles Marais of the farm Plasir de Merle, who arrived in the Cape in 1688, and was "murdered by a Hottentot on the farm in 1689". Note - we have other matching items with the Marais Family armorial.
A mixed set of 6 Irish sterling silver spoons, 2 large mustard spoons, 2 smaller mustard spoons, and 2 small saltspoons (the last 2 a matching pair). The matching salt spoons are Dublin 1925 by Wakely & Wheeler, the 2 smaller mustard are by William Cummins (1829) and Samuel Neville (1832), the 2 larger mustard spoons are Christopher Cummins (1837) and JS (1867). 1 Spoon has a family crest, 2 have engraved initials and 3 are unengraved. All the hallmarks are clear.
A set of 13 sterling silver Apostle spoons, as follows: The Master, St. Peter, St. John, St. Matthew, St. Andrew, St. Philip, St. Jude, St. James the Greater, St. James the Less, St. Matthias, St. Simon, St. Thomas, and St. Bartholomew. The Apostles are well modeled, with lovely detail, as can be seen from the photographs. For example, St. Peter has keys, St. Simon a saw, St Andrew a cross, St. Jude an axe, and St. James a staff and bible. The spoons are from a set (no 117), issued by The Heritage Collection in 1978, limited to 1000 sets. The hallmarks are clear, and include maker mark CM (Cape Mint, part of the Pagliari Group), STG for Sterling silver, antelope head for South Africa, and date letter E for 1978. All the spoons have the Apostle's name engraved on the stem, and the set number 117. They come complete with original signed certificate and explanatory booklet, with information on all the apostles, origin and how they were made, also the original advertising letter. Note: We have sold a previous set...
A set of 6 Georg Jensen sterling silver coffee or demitasse spoons, in the Akkeleje # 77 pattern. The design is repeated on the back and the front, the Akkeleje can be translated as the Columbine flower, these are attractive, dainty spoons. The pattern was introduced in 1918, and was designed by Georg Jensen himself. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with Danish hallmarks, including makers mark GJ above "STERLING DENMARK", they also have London import marks and 925 sterling marks for 1934 and 1935 (4 are 1934, 2 are 1935), along with makers mark G.J Ld, used by Jensen between 1931 and 1967 for items imported to their store in New Bond Street, London.
A Chinese Export silver dessert spoon in the Fiddle pattern, with no engraving. The spoon is good quality, easily comparable to an English Georgian example. The hallmarks are good, with only slight wear to the top of the makers mark, and include pseudo duty mark, pseudo crowned leopards head (London town mark pre 1821), pseudo date letter P in incuse rectangle with cut corners, pseudo lion passant and makers mark WE WE WC. This is an imitation of the makers mark for William Eley, William Fearn and William Chawner. The Chinese Export silver collectors guide (4th edition, pg 763-767) says this maker remains unidentified, but was responsible "for an astounding production of silver items, almost all in the European neo-classical style. The work of WE WE WC is par excellence, it can rival the best of English, European and American silversmiths of the Georgian era. There is no such thing as a poor piece of WE WE WC silver. To have the wherewithal to create silver that rivaled the finest European and American silver...
A set of three sterling silver items, namely ladle, saltspoon and butterknife, in the popular Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, with engraved Marais Family coat of arms, which is very clear on all 3 items. The ladle is a pleasing size and weight,108 grammes, the quality is excellent on all 3 items. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark D&J W, for Daniel & John Wellby, who worked between 1827 and 1974 from Garrick Street, London. The Marais family coat of arms is described as "Azure, a chain sable fesswise, in chief a crescent reversed and a base of two hills vert" - Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 53, depicted on Plate 18, no 280, of the Bell Krynauw Collection. It dates back to Charles Marais of the farm Plasir de Merle, who arrived in the Cape in 1688, and was "murdered by a Hottentot on the farm in 1689". Note - we have other matching items with the Marais Family armorial.
A set of 6 Art Deco sterling silver coffee spoons, with ribbed finials, in original box. The hallmarks are excellent on all 6 spoons.
A Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers antique silver spoon, with the Company armorial as a cast silver finial. The spoon is a good weight and quality, as expected from Elkington, it also has a rat-tail bowl. The cast finial has lovely detail, the back has a vacant shield cartouche intended for engraved initials. The company is one of the Livery companies of the city of London, ranked 41st in order of precedence, it was founded in 1375 and received Royal Charter in 1571. The company motto, "Join Loyalty & Liberty" was created by past Master John Wilkes in 1774, John Wilkes is remembered as the founder of "Freedom of the Press", his statue is in Fetter Lane. He was also Lord Mayor of London, his "I love liberty" slogan on silver spoon picture-backs are highly collectible. The armorial has 2 pairs of compasses over a globe, under 2 roses and a scallop shell, with a demi savage holding a spear, supported by 2 naked boys, one holding a female figure, the other a square - all this detail is clearly visible. T...
A set of 6 Art Deco sterling silver coffee spoons, well preserved in original half moon box. The spoons have horseshoe shape bowls, and classic Art Deco finials, the 4 tower shape. All 6 spoons have clear hallmarks. The box is also lovely, half oval fan shape. Both box and spoons are small and dainty, smaller than most spoon boxes.
A set of three Georg Jensen serving implements in the Old Danish # 100 pattern (Dobbelt Triflet) pattern, including serving spoon, gravy ladle and meat fork. The pattern has "undulating outlines and a pair of incised parallel lines, square bowls, the overall proportions are reminiscent of much earlier flatware designs, as the name Old Danish implies" Georg Jensen, A Tradition of Splendid Silver, page 269). The serving spoon is medium sized, the gravy ladle has a deep bowl, and the elegant meat fork has 2 tines. All 3 items are clearly hallmarked "Georg Jensen Sterling Denmark", the mark used after 1945. The Old Danish pattern was designed in 1947 by Harald Nielsen, the Artistic Director who took over from Jensen on his death, "his flatware designs Pyramid and Old Danish remain Jensen favorites (page 57 book above).
A pair of Arts and Crafts antique silver serving spoons, with raised shell finial and planished (hand hammered) bowls, both the front and the back of the bowls. These are good quality, a pleasing weight, and a useful size for use. The hallmarks are clear on both spoons, and include a registration number, indicating Atkin Brothers protected the design.
Two early Georgian silver Hanoverian tablespoons, engraved with the Davy family crest. The spoons both have a strong front rib and double drop, both features of early Hanoverians. Both are clearly engraved with original armorials for the Davy family of Beckley, Sussex, on the back of the spoons (spoons were displayed bowl down during this period). The crest is described as "sable a fess or between three cinquefoils argent, the lozenge is tied at the top with a lovers knot that denotes the arms of a spinster", see heraldic report which accompanies these spoons. The spoons probably belonged to an unmarried daughter of the Davy family of Beckley, Sussex. The first spoon has clear hallmarks, including WH makers mark for William Hunter, and date letter i for 1744. The second spoon has squashed marks, but the makers mark JL for Jeremiah Lee is clear.
Two interesting early 20th century American sterling silver hand forged Arts & Crafts silver spoons, by 2 of the leading silversmiths of the period. The first is by Old Newbury Crafters (ONC), in the panel antique pattern, with long narrow handle, fiddle handle and teardrop shaped bowl, with a pronounced rim around the back edge of the bowl. It is hallmarked "STERLING ONC", clearly struck, this mark was used before 1955. Hammer marks can be seen on the back of the bowl. The second is by Stone Sterling, founded in 1901 by Arthur J Stone, the "Dean of American Silversmiths". This spoon is slightly larger, it has an almost heart shaped bowl, and long elegant handle with pointed terminal. It is hallmarked with the STONE hammer mark, STERLING, and letter E, which denotes it was made by one of Stone's assistants, George C Erickson, between 1915 and 1932. Old Newbury Crafters was established in 1915, and still operating today, with 2 silversmiths, using traditional hand forging. The Boston Globe wrote "Paul Revere w...
An early Irish silver rat-tail Hanoverian tablespoon, made in 1729 by Mary Barrett, the widow of Edward Barrett. The spoon is lovely quality, a pleasing weight, and in remarkably good condition. The spoon has a deep frontal rib running halfway down the handle, with a strong turn-up, and the traditional rat-tail used before 1730. The spoon has original engraved family crest on the back of the spoon (spoons were placed face down at this period), the crest featured a raised arm in armour holding a cross (slight wear to the cross). The 3 hallmarks are clear, makers mark EB in oval punch (slight wear to B, looks more like EE), date letter gothic K for 1729, and crowned harp, with slight wear but clearly discernable. This spoon predates the Irish Hibernia mark which was introduced in 1731. Edward Barrett worked between 1698 and his death in 1722, his widow Mary continued the business using his punch until 1730. A number of their spoons have survived. He was freed in 1702 and elected Warden in 1722, so he was a pres...
A rare set of Old English Military Thread and Shell pattern (also called Military Shell) tablespoons, tableforks and dessertspoons (6 of each). These are good quality and weight, the forks around 89 grammes each, tablespoons 94 grammes and the dessertspoons 63. All 18 have an engraved family crest, a raised lion facing right between 2 horns. The pattern has the regular Thread and Shell pattern, double struck (on both sides), but with scrolls instead of shoulders, as with all Military variants (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 117). Pickford describes this pattern as "a rare pattern illustrated in the Chawner & Co Pattern book, Appendix page 218", where the Chawner book shows this pattern, termed as "Military Shell". Pickford did not illustrate a photographic example of this pattern , a further indication of its rarity. The hallmarks on all 18 items are very clear, makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co, and London date letter P for 1870, the tablespoons are 1869. In addition, some pieces carry addit...
A pair of Victorian silver toddy ladles, in the Old English Thread pattern, made in London for a Scottish family. The ladles have engraved Scottish crests of a hand grasping a dagger issuing from a heart, underneath motto "With Heart and Hand", the engraving on both is crisp and clear (only Scottish motto's are above the crest). The ladles are double struck, with pattern on both sides, and the thread is a double thread. They are good quality ladles, a pleasing weight, and preserved in excellent condition. Toddy ladles are uniquely Scottish, and usually single struck, so this London made double struck pair are unusual. The hallmarks on both are very clear, including makers mark H.H for Henry Holland, an important firm established in 1838 that became Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater, until absorbed into Francis Higgins in 1922. The crest and motto are for the Dudgeon family. A notable Victorian London based Dudgeon business was J&W Dudgeon, a shipbuilding and engineering company, they built blockade runners for the...
A set of 6 antique silver egg spoons, in the Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern. The spoons are fabulous quality, just under 30 grammes each, a pleasure to hold and use. The spoons have the traditional shovel shaped bowls with distinct shoulders, where they meet the stem, so quite different to teaspoons. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons, but the makers mark is only lightly struck, enough is visible to confirm the triangle shaped HA&S makers mark for Hollard, Aldwinckle & Slater, used between 1905 and 1919. Culme (Directory of Gold & Silversmiths) describes this firm as "an important firm of manufacturing silversmiths, established 1838, they purchased Chawner & Co in 1883, Hennell in 1887, they were absorbed by Francis Higgins in 1922". They supplied virtually all the leading silversmiths of the day, including Garrard, Elkington, Mappin & Webb, and Hunt & Roskell. A visitor in 1894 said "in passing through the galleries, the heavy thuds and ring of anvils, convince one that there is indeed such a trade as...
An exceptionally large Danish silver serving spoon, in the Old Danish pattern (Dobbelt riflet), wih matching large bowl. The spoon is double struck (pattern on both sides), the pattern has a reeded edge, and the handle is fluted. The weight and quality is very pleasing, heavier and with a larger bowl than other examples we have seen. This type of extremely large serving spoon is unique to Denmark, very suitable for serving a generous portion. The hallmarks include the Danish 3 towers mark with date letter 36 for 1936, assay masters mark JS for Johannes Siggaard (who worked between 1932 and 1960), and makers mark HS in script for Horsens Solvvarefabriek which was established in 1904. We have sold a similar spoon S1293, and have a similar example S 11024.
A very rare of Straight Tudor pattern flatware set, made by Chawner & Co, the leading flatware maker of Victorian England. The spoons and forks are fabulous quality, and are in excellent condition. The Straight Tudor pattern is a Gothic Revival pattern, it omits 2 small scroll circular projections on each side of the stem, this differentiates it from the "Tudor" pattern. All 48 pieces are clearly hallmarked, they also carry the British Registry design number and date chart diamond, which rarely occurs on silver flatware - class I for metal, date letter v for 1850, and R 14 indicating 14 August. The presence of the design mark indicates the Chawner design to protect their innovative design. Straight Tudor is described by Pickford (Silver Flatware page 149) as "a rare 19th century Chawner & Co design which appears in their pattern book (page 219), registered August 14th 1850, along with Tudor. Services and pieces are rare, building a service would be extremely difficult". The Tudor and Straight Tudor pattern...
A pair of Georg Jensen Parallel or Relief pattern salad or vegetable servers, in the Parallel pattern, also called Relief # 25 pattern. They are a lovely classic Art Deco shape, with rectangular handles with serrated edge design, and the rare additional of 2 circular "wings" midway up the handle. Both have clear hallmarks, the GJ in rectangle makers mark (used between 1933 and 1944) above "Sterling Denmark". The fork also has additional London import marks for 1936, and the G.J Ld makers mark used by the London Jensen shop. The parallel pattern is interesting most of the smaller items have no "wings", a few of the larger serving items have scroll "wings" , the circular "wings" present here appear to be the rarest addition to the pattern. The pattern was designed in 1931 by Oscar Gundlach-Pedersen, a famous Danish architect who designed a number of important buildings. He was born in 1886, he served as Georg Jensen's last apprentice in 1911, he later returned to the Georg Jensen firm as Manager and Artistic D...
A set of 6 sterling silver Arts & Crafts salt or condiment spoons, made by Kurt Jobst circa 1950. The spoons have spiral design finials, round bowls and hand hammered "square" handles, they are a pleasure to hold and use. They are great quality, each individually made by hand by a master craftsman. All 6 spoons have clear hallmarks, and include his trademark "unicorn" KJ mark, along with "Jobst, Sterling and .925" marks. Jobst was born in Austria in 1905, he served his apprenticeship in Hanau, Germany, his influence was the Bauhaus movement. He emigrated with his family in 1936 from Austria to South Africa to escape Hitler, and became one of Johannesburg's leading silversmiths. He was commissioned by the South African Government to make the official wedding present for Queen Elizabeth in 1947 (a silver box with diamond necklace), he also made silver for Ernest Oppenheimer (cigar box, bowls and dishes). He died in a car crash in 1971 aged 66, in 1977 a book of his work was published. Nadine Gordimer (Nobel Pri...
A rare sterling silver cooks measuring spoon, we have not encountered one of these before. The spoon has the traditional measuring spoon shape, with circular spherical bowl and long flat handle. The spoon has an interesting triple rat-tail joining the bowl to the handle. The hallmarks are on the front of the spoon, and are well struck, they could not be better. The detail on the sterling lion passant and London town mark leopards head is fantastic, please see the photographs.
An interesting coin silver American single struck Kings shape Thread and Shell pattern teaspoon, made by Samuel Kirk between 1824 and 1827. Whilst we describe this as a teaspoon, it is a large and heavy teaspoon, perfect for eating dessert. Single struck flatware means the pattern is only struck on one side, this only occurred in Scotland in the UK. The spoon has the original owners engraved family crest, a human head with full beard. The spoon has 3 hallmarks, makers mark S.Kirk in serrated rectangular punch for Samuel Kirk, Baltimore Coat of Arms large oval shield mark (quality mark), date letter C for 1824 - 1827, these are all well struck and clear. This dates to a very interesting period in US silver history, Baltimore between 1814 and 1830 was the only place and date where hallmarks were required on silver in the USA. The State Legislature of Maryland passed the Assay Act of 1814, which set the quality standard at 917, the Act was repealed in 1830 due to opposition by the affected silversmiths, includ...
A Darlington Dog Show antique silver jam or marmalade spoon, presented as a trophy in 1912. The spoon is excellent quality, very good weight and feel in the hand, a pleasure to use. The traditional scalloped jam spade bowl has a circular embossed armorial or crest, with bulls head and covered wagons, surrounded by "DARLINGTON DOG SHOW", and the date 1912 engraved beneath. The spoon handle is also lovely, it appears to be a variant of the Windsor pattern (Ian Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 162. The hallmarks are very clear, the spoon also has a registration number meaning the design was protected by Atkin Brothers. The Darlington Dog Show dates back to 1860, when dogs were added to the Darlington Horse and Foal Society, it still exists today, see www.darlingtondogshowsociety.weebly.com. It has championship show status from the Kennel club, is held at Ripon race-track, events attract over 10000 dogs.
A lovely pair of Old English pattern tablespoons, with Leopards head family crest. The leopard is quite realistically engraved, and looks quite fierce. The hallmarks are excellent, as good as they could be, a journeyman's mark (the silversmith who made the spoons in the Wallis workshop) of 2 dots is also present. What is of interest about these hallmarks is the double cusp on the duty mark, to the right and base, this mark was only used between 6 July 1797 and 28 May 1798, 6 July being the date at which duty on silver was doubled from sixpence to one shilling. Jackson shows the 2 cusps to the left and base, this mark was never used on spoons, it was only used on tongs and knife blades that did not require the London town mark (Tony Dove, in an article entitled "The cusped duty used at the assay offices from 1797", in the Finial Vol. 14-04). 1797 was the first year a cusp was used, it was used again periodically when duty changed. The different assay offices applied the usage of cusps differently.
A rare Irish Provincial teaspoon in the Fiddle pattern, made in Cork by Samuel Green circa 1800, with a very rare Irish retailers mark. The teaspoon is quite long with a narrow bowl, and is hallmarked with incuse makers mark SG for Samuel Green, incuse STERLING guarantee mark, and retailers mark L.O.H in a rectangular punch, which is believed to be for Laurence O'Hagan, a watchmaker and presumably retailer in Limerick. Laurence O'Hagan, Watchmaker appears in the Hibernian Journal in 1791 on his marriage to Miss Quinn and again in 1804 on his marriage to Miss Bryan (source Silver Forums at 925-1000.com, on the Limerick and Irish Retailers marks pages). All the hallmarks are clear, especially the retailer mark, the G from STERLING is only partially struck. Irish provincial silver is quite rare, and often the hallmarks are worn or poorly punched, so this spoon is a nice example. Cork did not have an assay office, so the silversmiths adopted an unofficial STERLING mark to denote the 925 quality standard. This i...
A Cape Silver lemoen lepel, (orange spoon), in very good condition, and with very clear makers mark. This spoon is typical of the Cape lemoen lepels, with pointed terminal and bowl, the bowl itself eye shaped and quite deep. The spoon has typical Cape engraving, with a 4 petal flower and wrigglework along the edges of the handles. It also has a distinctive V joint connecting handle to bowl. The IC makers mark is well struck and clear (Welz mark 32 with canted corners). Welz describes orange spoons as"probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). As far as we are aware, only Jan Lotter and Johannes combrink made lemoen lepels, probably between 1800 and 1815. Note - this spoon matches the pair S 1922.
An interesting Swiss Silver preserve set, consisting of a matching fork and slotted spoon in their original box. They are 800 grade silver, and both the spoon bowl and fork (excluding handle) are gilded, to protect the silver from corrosive salt. The matching handles are a beaded pattern, with the pattern on the back different from the pattern on the front. The spoon has seven slots in an attractive pattern, the fork has 4 tines. Both items are clearly hallmarked with the Jezler makers mark and 800 standard mark. The original box has a retailers label, which reads "Otto Leuenberger, Uhren & Bijoutier, Langnau (Bern) - Brugg (Aargau)".
A stylish set of six sterling silver coffee spoons, with an unusual but attractive shell design, we have not encountered this design before. The spoons are perfectly preserved in their original box, the box reads "James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield, Made in England", we assume the retailer. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked. Atkin Brothers was a well known firm founded by Henry Atkin in 1851, it survived over 100 years until it was acquired by C.J. Vander in 1958.
A British Bulldog Club antique sterling silver trophy spoon, which is in excellent condition. The spoon features a well modelled bulldog head, above legend "THE BRITISH BULLDOG CLUB". The spoon is based on a single struck Kings pattern, but was specially commissioned by the club who wanted to present a more useful trophy than a medal. The club was established in 1892, and still operates today (although I doubt they still have such beautiful silver spoon trophies!). The hallmarks are clear, this spoon was made in Birmingham in 1906 by J A Restall & Co, who worked between 1881 and 1934.
A Scottish Provincial silver tablespoon, made in Aberdeen by Peter Ross between 1819 and 1822. The spoon is Fiddle pattern, and has original owners engraved initials AGC. The hallmarks are clear. The hallmarks include makers mark PR between two A hallmarks for Aberdeen. Ross was admitted as an Aberdeen hammerman in 1819, but only lived for 3 more years until 1822 (Aberdeen Silver by Michael Wilson). His legacy is Fiddle pattern flatware, he is not known to have produced other silver items. Note - We have a matching pair of tablespoons S 1891.
A collection of 10 sterling silver rifle shooting trophy and Boer War souvenir spoons. Five spoons have enamel finials, 8 spoons are shooting trophies and 2 spoons are Boer War. The spoons include:
1. P.E.R.C. (Port Elizabeth Rifle Club), E.F. Wilson, 103, enamel shooting range (round medallion), Birmingham 1928, Birmingham Medallion Company, gilded
2. P.E.R.C. (Port Elizabeth Rifle Club), E.F. Wilson, 1927, 100, enamel bulls eye, gilded, crossed rifles, Birmingham 1925, Birmingham Medallion Company
3. & 4. - Toll Gate Miniature Rifle Club, enamel finials with twisted stems, Birmingham 1912, William James Dingley, both engraved "Won by"
5. Man at Arms Competition, Lovely shooting soldier handle, Birmingham 1912, William James Dingley, engraved "Won by EF WILSON PET GRC, score 98, 18 Jan 1913
6. & 7. - Rifle Club, crossed rifles, Birmingham 1909 and 1911, Elkington & Co, engraved "D Coy CP Rifles and A Coy PWCRCPR", nice quality
8. Bloemfontein Rifle Club (English and Afrikaans), City armorial, gilded, B...
An interesting coin silver American Fiddle pattern tablespoon, made by Samuel Kirk in 1822. The spoon has original owners script initials JMC. The spoon has 4 hallmarks, makers mark S.Kirk in script in rectangular punch for Samuel Kirk, Baltimore Coat of Arms shield mark in clipped corner rectangle (quality mark), date letter F for 1822 and Head of Liberty mark. This dates to a very interesting period in US silver history, Baltimore between 1814 and 1830 was the only place and date where hallmarks were required on silver in the USA. The State Legislature of Maryland passed the Assay Act of 1814, which set the quality standard at 917, the Act was repealed in 1830 due to opposition by the affected silversmiths, including Kirk, who petitioned for its repeal. Thomas Warner was the Baltimore Assayer between 1814 and 1823, so he would have struck these marks. Samuel Kirk began working as a silversmith 1815, he founded the very successful firm of S. Kirk & Sons in 1846, it became the oldest surviving silversmithing ...
A lovely Dutch silver sugar sifter in the Empire style, made by Pieter Kuijlenburg in Schoonhoven in 1830. The sifter ladle has a wide oval curved bowl, quite deep, with a beaded rim, and intricate piercing of the bowl. The centre is an eight pointed star, with 8 radiating arrows interspersed with patterned dots, surrounded by a cross and semi circle pattern. The curved, elegant handle has a pointed terminal, it is beautifully engraved with a bright cut pattern, including stems with leaves and flowers. The Empire style is a Neo-Classical revival style, that became popular in France, Belgium and the Netherlands after the rise of Napoleon. The hallmarks include makers mark PKB under kappie for Pieter Kuijlenburg, Lion passant 2nd standard (833 purity), Minerva head duty mark, and date letter script V for 1830 (the date letter struck inside the bowl). Kuijlenburg worked in Schoonhoven as a silversmith between 1818 and 1831, he was born in 1791 and died in 1868, he had 6 children including Adrianus who was also a...
Two interesting 19th century Spanish silver tablespoons, both with excellent hallmarks. Both spoons are 930 grade, so slightly higher grade than sterling (925). Both spoons are the same pattern, similar to Old English, but with a Continental flavour. The bowls have pronounced tips, no drops are present and the stems are flattened with an elegant oval stem. Both spoons have contemporary engraved initials, JL and I with lots of flourishes. Both spoons have 3 distinct hallmarks, denoting town, maker and assay master. The Barcelona spoon has town mark BAR under Maltese Cross in a domate punch, this mark was used circa 1825 (courtesy of Spanish silver website www.munozarce.com). The assay masters mark is P.FLORENSA, with P.FLO above RENSA. The makers mark is JA CARRERAS for Jacint Carreras. The Palma spoon has town mark M under palm tree in Loboid punch for Palma de Mallorca, this mark was used on large items in the 19th century (Tardy pg 108). The second mark is assay master A FORTEZA, the third mark is maker J M...
An Exeter silver sifter ladle in the Fiddle pattern, with an engraved family crest featuring a dog or wolf. The sifter is the traditional shape, with beautiful scroll and cross-hatch piercing. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark JAP, Victoria duty mark, lion passant, castle town mark and date letter gothic C for 1839. James Andrew Page worked between 1833 and 1862 in Plymouth, he died in 1898. In 1862 the business became Page, Keen & Page, which survived being destroyed by bombs in 1941, and merged with Bowdens in 1970. Page, Keen & Page produced interesting silver replica spoons complete with early Plymouth hallmarks.
Two Cape silver tablespoons (not a pair), but both in Old English pattern and both by Johannes Combrink. The first has engraved owners initials JM in script, this spoon has excellent hallmarks, makers mark IC and the anchor (Welz mark 25), and a rounded drop. It also has the initials AFDT struck on the back of the stem, we assume another owner. The second has a slightly wider handle, no initials, and very clear makers mark IC (Welz mark 32).
A rare set of Old English Military Thread and Shell pattern (also called Military Shell) tableforks and dessertspoons (3 of each). These are good quality, the forks around 90 grammes each and the spoons over 60. All 6 have an engraved family crest, a raised lion facing right between 2 horns. The pattern has the regular Thread and Shell pattern, double struck (on both sides), but with scrolls instead of shoulders, as with all Military variants (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 117). Pickford describes this pattern as "a rare pattern illustrated in the Chawner & Co Pattern book, Appendix page 218", where the Chawner book shows this pattern, termed as "Military Shell". Pickford did not illustrate a photographic example of this pattern , a further indication of its rarity. The hallmarks on all 6 items are very clear, makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co, and London date letter P for 1870. In addition, all pieces carry additional journeyman's marks (Y, K, 3 petal flower, O), so the particular silversmit...
A set of 6 Irish silver dessert spoons, in the Fiddle pattern with rat-tails, a feature of Irish flatware of the period. The spoons have original owners engraved initials WMH. The hallmarks on all 6 are excellent, and include makers mark IB for James Brady, who worked between 1821 and 1842. The spoons also have the retailer's mark, NEILL, which is very clear on all the spoons. Irish retailers were among the first to mark flatware, early adopters of corporate branding. NEILL was a leading Belfast retailer, first established by Robert Neill in 1803, the firm survived until 1960.
A Danish silver Skonvirke (Arts & Crafts) cream ladle, made by the respected Danish silversmith Evald Nielsen in 1924. The ladle is the No 4 pattern, which has organic flowing scrolls in relief, so quite pleasing to hold. The ladle is hand hammered, with the planish marks visible in the bowl and the stem. The ladle has a flat circular bowl with a narrow lip, about 0.7 cm deep. The ladle is 830 grade silver, as is usual for Danish silver. The well struck hallmarks include "Evald Nielsen" in an attractive script, with "No 4" indicating pattern, date letter "ANNO 1924", the letter "S" surrounded by dots in shaped punch for silver, and "830" in oval punch surrounded by dots for grade of silver. Evald Nielsen worked between 1905 and 1958 from Copenhagen, he designed all his own designs (as opposed to his contemporary Georg Jensen). He won numerous awards internationally, and his silver can be seen in numerous museums, including the Metropolitan in New York, V&A in London, and Kunstmuseum in Denmark. Nielsen produ...
A collection of 10 sterling silver Royal souvenir spoons. Six spoons have enamel finials, 1 has enamel bowl as well. Six spoons are English, 3 are Canadian and 1 is Dutch. 4 spoons commemorate coronations. The spoons include:
1. Edward VII in commemoration of the Coronation, Westminster Abbey 1902, Birmingham 1901, Henry Griffiths & Sons, Abbey in bowl
2. Edward VII, Birmingham 1901, S Blanckensee & Sons, Edward in bowl, pierced cast Edward handle, gilded, a lovely spoon
3. Victoria Queen and Empress, London 1898, Saunders & Shepherd, imported F mark, gilded
4. King George V, Mary Queen Consort, Crowned at Westminster June 22 1911, Birmingham 1910, BH Joseph & Co, coronation chair in cast handle
5. Elizabeth II, Crowned 1953, Birmingham 1952, Mappin & Webb, coronation hallmark, "Fire Triumphs over Materials" for JK Smit & Sons, diamond drilling company
6. Royal visit to South Africa, King George VI and Queen Mother, South African coat of arms, Dutch dagger hallmark and makers mark for Van Kempen
7. Roy...
A fabulous set of 6 Tiffany Sterling silver Indian Chrysanthemum tablespoons, in immaculate condition, they could not be better. The pattern is truly beautiful, it extends right down the back of the spoon bowls as well. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked "TIFFANY & Co STERLING PAT.1880.M, the M indicates these are early pieces (the pattern was produced from 1880-1934). This must be one of the most beautiful example of hallmarks, with the design wrapping over and through the hallmarks. Each individual spoon weighs 120 grams, certainly the heaviest tablespoons we have encountered (the very best quality English tablespoons can reach 100 grammes). Indian Chrysanthemum has been described as "one of the most magnificent and celebrated sterling silver designs of the 19th century. Chrysanthemum represents one of the last great designs of the Victorian period" -(www.replacements.com), it was designed by Charles Grosjean. "Master silversmith Charles T. Grosjean joined the Tiffany firm as the Superintendent of Silverwa...
A set of 6 Old English pattern Cape silver tablespoons, made by Johannes Combrink. All 6 spoons have engraved owners initials G, we assume the original owner. This set has been made by hand, there are slight differences in length, also differences in the shape of the handle, with some having narrower ends. One spoon also has a noticeably larger bowl than the other 5, so perhaps made at a different time. The drop on 2 spoons is also slightly longer, overall interesting but subtle differences between the spoons. The hallmarks also exhibit differences, three spoons are struck with makers mark IC three times, the other three are struck with makers mark IC four times (similar to the English duty dodgers). The orientation of the marks also differs, some are struck vertically and some sideways, so it appears the silversmith struck marks quite randomly. This mark is 29 or mark 30 in the book Cape Silver by Welz, the C is quite close the the I, and has short arms, almost looks like a K. The slightly larger spoon, whic...
A fine and heavy cast silver commemorative caddy spoon made to celebrate the investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1969. The caddy spoon bowl is made up of the 3 Prince of Wales feathers, joined to the handle with a Royal crown and the motto "ICH DIEN", translated "I Serve", the handle has a Welsh dragon. The bowl is quite deep, the feathers have been shaped, the detail of the feathers is also very fine. The spoon is fully hallmarked with clear hallmarks, including makers mark G&Co Ld. for Garrards, the Crown Jewellers (founded in 1722, it retained the Royal Warrant until 2007). The back of the caddy spoon is also marked "Garrard & Co Ltd 112 Regent St W". Another example of this caddy spoon is shown in the book "The Story of the Caddy Spoon 1775-2015" produced by the Society of Caddy Spoon Collectors, page 63. It also was part of the John Norie Collection, Part II, lot 384.
A pair of rare Old English Feather Edge and Cartouche silver tablespoons, made by William Pinder in 1771. The spoons are lovely quality and in excellent condition, we really like these spoons. The cartouche has been chased and engraved by hand, you can see small differences between the 2, notably the size and orientation of the scroll underneath. The cartouches are engraved with a family crest, a Griffin's head erased, this is the family crest of the Nalder Family (Fairbairns crests). Whilst Old English Feather Edge is a common pattern, the addition of the Cartouche, first produced around 1770 by Thomas Northcote, is rare (Silver Flatware, Ian Pickford, page 105). The pattern was revived late 19th century by Carrington, who called it Carrington Shield. The hallmarks are bottom marked, and include clear makers mark WP, with the W and P co-joined for William Pinder, who worked from Bunhill road between 1770 and 1784 (Grimwade page 624). The crowned leopards head and lion passant are partially worn but still cle...
A rare Victorian silver Old English Military Thread and Shell pattern soup ladle, of exceptional weight and quality. The pattern has the regular Thread and Shell pattern, double struck (on both sides), but with scrolls instead of shoulders, as with all Military variants (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 117). The ladle has an interesting engraved family crest, a collared lion between 2 horns. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark GA (George Adams, who took over the Chawner business in 1840), and also includes 2 journeyman's marks S and N (the silversmiths who made the ladle in the Chawner & Co workshop). Ian Pickford, in the book Silver Flatware, describes Old English Military Thread and Shell as "a rare pattern, illustrated in the Chawner & Co. Pattern book(appendix pg 218). Any services and pieces are rare" - page 107. Chawner & Co were the most important firm of silver spoon manufacturers in Victorian England (John Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, page 82).
A pair of Scottish Provincial silver tablespoons, made in Aberdeen by Peter Ross between 1819 and 1822. The spoons are Fiddle pattern, and have original owners engraved initials AGC. The spoons are in lovely condition, well preserved, and the hallmarks are clear. The hallmarks include makers mark PR between two A hallmarks for Aberdeen. Ross was admitted as an Aberdeen hammerman in 1819, but only lived for 3 more years until 1822 (Aberdeen Silver by Michael Wilson). His legacy is Fiddle pattern flatware, he is not known to have produced other silver items. Note - We have a matching single tablespoon S 1892.
An extremely rare Irish Provincial silver soup ladle from Limerick, made by Joseph Johns, Limericks "most accomplished, prolific and arguably most successful silversmith" (A Celebration of Limerick Silver, John Bowen & Conor O'Brien, pages 140 & 198 - a book we highly recommend). The ladle is in the Rococo style, with a fluted bowl and asymmetrical chased floral decoration on the handle and back of bowl, and has a hooked terminal (or end, described as a "crooked end" by Bennett - Irish Silver, pg 115). The ladle also has an engraved family crest, an armoured arm embowed holding an arrow. The bowl, which is fluted on both sides, is huge, over 10 cms in diameter, this is a substantial ladle with a good gauge. The fluted bowl was described by Douglas Bennett as "an alluring feature feature for the collector" (Collecting Irish Silver, pg 115). The join of bowl to handle has character, the drop has worn engraving, and also a semi circular strengthening plate, which unfortunately was not strong enough to prevent da...
A Danish modernist silver strawberry serving spoon, in Georg Jensen style. The spoon is beautiful, and is a good weight and quality. The spoon has a large circular bowl, with a pierced strawberry leaf design, to allow the juices to be drained before serving. The handle is cast, and has 2 well designed strawberries amongst foliage, these are embossed so provide a nice grip for the handle. This spoon is a useful size, suitable for serving other items besides strawberries. The spoon has 4 hallmarks, all of which are well struck and clear. The Danish 3 tower mark and date letter 33 for 1933 indicates purity of 826/1000, the SJ assay master mark (Stadtsguardein) for Johannes Siggaard (worked between 1932 and 1960). The 3rd mark is "Haandarbejde" indicating this item was made by hand, and the 4th mark is the script F surrounded by oval dots, the assay master mark for Frederik Fabritius, who worked between 1787 and 1823. The presence of this older assay masters mark is a mystery, it has also been observed on other D...
A collection of 10 sterling silver souvenir spoons, all from a different British town. The spoons were made in Birmingham, London, Chester and Sheffield, with dates ranging from 1893 to 1919. All 10 spoons have clear hallmarks. The 10 include:
1. Ripon, Birmingham 1912, Levi & Salaman, crest in bowl
2. Bideford, Chester 1906, John Millward Banks with flower trademark, engraved Bediiforde 1577 Sicillun Comvne De
3. Brighton, Birmingham 1918, Levi & Salaman, engraved In Deo Fidemus
4. Scarborough, Birmingham 1905, Levi & Salaman
5. Canterbury, Birmingham 1901, Turnbull Brothers, Cathedral in bowl
6. Oxford, Birmingham 1911, gilded armorial in bowl
7. Manchester Ship Canal, Sheffield 1893, Henry Wigfull, gilded armorial in bowl, cast handle with Navigation & Commerce
8. Unknown town, London 1899, Saunders & Shepherd, cast floral handle, lovely quality
9. Unknown town, Birmingham 1908, Joseph Cook & Sons
10. Oxford University, Sheffield 1919, Joseph Rodgers
Note- The earlier spoons pre 1900 are notic...
A set of 6 Georg Jensen sterling silver Cypress pattern fruit spoons with triangular bowls, these would be called grapefruit spoons by the English. This is a fabulous set of grapefruit spoons, stunning design and very practical for use, strong bowl tips. This is a vintage set dating from 1960, all 6 pieces are fully hallmarked. The hallmarks include "GEORG JENSEN" in oval dots, above "STERLING DENMARK". All 6 pieces also carry London import marks, sponsors mark G.JLd for Georg Jensen (their London branch), oval U import mark, .925 sterling mark and date letters e and f for 1960 and 1961. The Cypress (or Cypres) pattern is #99 in the Jensen catalog, it was designed by Tias Eckhoff in 1954. The Cypress pattern won the design competition held for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Georg Jensen company (Georg Jensen, A tradition of Splendid Siulver, page 282). Tias Eckhoff, a Norwegian, has been described as one of Norway's most versatile designers. Note: - We also have a Jensen Cypress pattern flatware...
A set of 6 sterling silver grapefruit spoons, with pointed bowls for easy access to the fruit. The spoons have a threaded border pattern with pointed terminals, sometimes referred to as French pattern. The spoons are very pleasing quality and weight, they have a solid feel in the hand, as is often the case with pre-war silver. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with Sheffield hallmarks for 1939 and makers mark EV for Viners Limited, started by Adolphe Viner in 1901, the E refers to his son Emile. Viners was a leading 20th century British cutlery brand, known for good quality, they were acquired by Oneida in 2005. These spoons also have an additional set of 3 hallmarks, smaller but clearly struck, these are Irish import marks that were struck on foreign silver. These marks include the Dublin assay office Boujet mark, .925 sterling standard mark, and Dublin date letter X for 1939, meaning these spoons were exported to Ireland as soon as they were made. The Boujet mark is a stylized representation of a medieval...
A set of 4 Irish Georgian silver tablespoons in the Fiddle pattern, made by Samuel Neville of Dublin. The spoons have no initials or engraving, and no signs of removal. The hallmarks on all 4 spoons are excellent, all individually struck. They include makers mark SN, Hibernia, Crowned Harp and date letter I for 1805. Samuel Neville worked between 1795 and 1851, he was a respected member of the community, he was Warden between 1804 and 1807 and was also elected to the Dublin City Council in 1807. He was Master in 1807 and 1827.
A set of 8 Cape Silver tablespoons and table forks (4 of each) in the Old English pattern, all with original owners engraved initials JM in script. The forks are lovely, long and elegant, and in great condition, the spoons have seen more use, with wear to the bowls. The spoons have wide circular drops, more continental in style. Six pieces (4 spoons and 2 forks) have additional initials AFDT engraved on the back of the stems, we assume an earlier owner, the AFDT showing signs of wear. Seven items have excellent hallmarks (makers mark IC and crude anchor, Welz mark 25), one fork has different marks, makers mark IC struck with a worn punch (Welz mark 29) and what appears to be crowned leopards head (clearly struck but worn punch, outline clear but no detail). Combrink had a long career, and this IC mark with worn punch is well known, it is assumed the punch became worn over time. The crowned leopard town mark is more of a mystery, this punch was used by Twentyman and Waldek (Welz 135 and 163), and is unknown by...
A matching pair of nursery rhyme silver baby implements, a spoon and baby pusher, intended as Christening gifts. Both have short handles, the spoon with Jack and Jill picture, the pusher with Little Boy Blue. The detail on both is lovely, as can be seen from the photographs. Both are clearly hallmarked, the spoon was made in 1932, the pusher in 1936, but both by the same maker WH Collins, and both part of their nursery rhyme collection. The pusher has original owners initials MJ, lightly engraved so this could be removed. The pusher also has a registration number, indicating the design was protected.
A fabulous pair of Baltimore silver tablespoons, in the Kings pattern, by Samuel Kirk of Baltimore, and bearing Baltimore assay marks for 1824-1826. The spoons are very good quality and gauge, unlike many American spoons of the period, which were often thinner and lighter than their English counterparts. They are single struck (in Scottish fashion), the back of both spoons is engraved Lyon, we assume the original owner. In addition to makers mark S.Kirk in script in rectangular punch, the spoons have the oval Baltimore Coat of Arms quality mark, in rectangular punch with cut corners, and date letter C, used by Assay Master LeRoy Atkinson between 1824 and 1826 (see www.imperialhalfbushel.com for information on these marks). These date to an interesting period in American silver history, Baltimore between 1814 and 1830 was the only place and date where hallmarks were required on silver in the USA, following the passing of the Assay Act by the State Legislature of Maryland in 1814 (it was unpopular so repealed i...
A set of 6 silver and enamel teaspoons, with 6 different coloured enamel roses, made in 1976 to commemorate the "Year of the Rose", and the 100 year anniversary of the RNRS (Royal National Rose Society). The back of each spoon reads "Year of the Rose RNRS 1976" on a stippled background. The spoons are perfectly preserved in their original box, which reads "By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, Suppliers of Gold and Silver Laces, Insignia and Embroidery, Toye, Kenning & Spencer Ltd London", under the Royal coat of arms. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons. Each individual spoon weighs over 20 grammes, these are good quality spoons, very suitable for use. The Royal National Rose Society is not only the world's oldest specialist plant society but the foremost global authority on the cultivation and care of the rose. Toye & Co was founded in 1685, they still hold a Royal warrant, they recently produced the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medals.
A rare pair of Cape silver tablespoons in the Old English pattern, engraved with the crest of the Cape Regiment. The spoons are engraved "CAPE.REG" above a bugle, suspended from a shamrock shape rope knot. This bugle was used as a crest for English Light regiments, currently still used by the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (lightbobs). As is often the case with regimental silver, these spoons have been well used (and well polished), so the crest is worn, one is better than the other. Both spoons have clear Cape silver hallmarks, anchor, IC, anchor, mark 22 in Cape Silver by Welz, used by Johannes Combrink. The Cape Regiment was formed in 1795, and consisted of Khoisan and Coloured men under white officers, headquartered in Simonstown. In 1817 it was renamed the Cape Corps, it remained in existence until 1926. Major Matthew Richmond, a New Zealand Colonial administrator and politician, served with the Cape Regiment in 1817, so may have used these spoons. (note - we have 2 sets of these spoons)....
A collection of ten American sterling silver souvenir spoons, 5 of which have decorated bowls and 6 of which have decorated stems, 2 decorated front and back, and 2 are gilded. As is usual for these American souvenir spoons, the details are lovely. The spoons include:
1. California, by Gorham, Golden Gate bowl, Eureka, Sutters Fort and California on front, State Capitol, Mission Dolores and Golden gate on back - a lovely spoon
2. Honolulu, maker R in wing, Surf Rider
3. Boulder Dam
4. Philadelphia, Hamilton & Diesinger, Founding Father
5. Hawaii, 1959, maker EJTC, 50TH State, Aloha Tower, Hawaii front, Admitted to the Union Aug 21 1959, The Aloha State rear
6. Washington, Abram French Co, Tip Top House 1852, Washington
7. Detroit, Mechanics Sterling, Detroit Harbour bowl
8. Detroit, Mechanics Sterling, Belle Isle Bridge bowl
9. Detroit, Mechanics Sterling, Water Works Park bowl
10. Chicago, Whiting, Ft Dearborn bowl.
A set of 6 Irish Georgian silver dessert spoons in the Fiddle pattern, made by Samuel Neville of Dublin in 1804. The spoons have no initials or engraving, and no signs of removal. All 6 spoons have good hallmarks, makers mark SN for Samuel Neville (struck both ways). They also have Hibernia and Harp Crowned, and date letter H for 1804 (note absence of duty mark, only introduced in Ireland in 1807). Samuel Neville worked between 1795 and 1851, he was a respected member of the community, he was Warden between 1804 and 1807 and was also elected to the Dublin City Council in 1807. He was Master in 1807 and 1827.
A lovely Art Deco Norwegian silver spoon, made to commemorate the unveiling of the Mor Og Barn (Mother and Child) statue in Sandefjord. The spoon has an embossed copy of the statue, a naked mother holding her baby in front of her, standing on a plinth. The rounded bowl has a stunning embossed view of Sandefjord, the detail is exquisite, complete with boats in the harbour, church steeples, houses and trees, with "SANDEFJORD" underneath. The Art Deco look and feel of the spoon is completed with the 8 pillars at the top of the handle. The hallmarks include silver mark 830S (830 grade silver) and makers mark of a goblet in an oval punch for Thorvald Marthinsen of Tonsberg. The original bronze statue is by Norwegian sculptor Arne Durban (1912-1994), who was known for his naturalistic work, his work is featured in over 30 Norwegian towns. It was unveiled on 17 May 1950 (Norwegian Constitution Day), which celebrates Norway becoming an independent kingdom in 1814. This spoon has been described by the website www.spoo...
A pair of Art Deco silver serving spoons, made by the German firm of Lutz & Weiss in Pforzheim, circa 1930. The spoons have the classic Art Deco pyramid pattern design, repeated on both sides, and an unusual but very practical 4 sided bowl, with rounded edges and a pointed front. The hallmarks include 835S indicating silver of 835 purity, makers mark of intertwined LW in a shield, and a Dutch import mark used since 1906 (V in shaped shield with shaded background), indicating the spoons must have been imported into the Netherlands at some stage. Both sets of hallmarks are clear. Lutz & Weiss Silberwarenfabriek was founded in 1882.
A sterling silver caddy spoon, with the engraved armorial of the South African Mint (Suid-Afrikaanse Munt). The spoon is substantial, a pleasing weight and good quality. The armorial has the coat of arms of the Union of South Africa (1910-1961), with the symbols of the 4 provinces (Hope with Anchor for the Cape, 2 wildebeests for Natal, orange tree for Orange Free State, and wagon for Transvaal), with motto "Ex Unitate Vires", translated Union is Strength. This is surrounded by 2 wreaths with South African Mint in both English and Afrikaans (the 2 official languages at the time), a building which we think could be the SA Mint building, and strangely a small armorial which appears to be the old Transvaal Republic coat of arms. (explanations welcome!). This spoon is identical in shape and form to the caddy spoon produced by the Pretoria Royal mint between 1923 and 1941, (see examples on our website, S1362 and S 1652), when the Mint became the South African Mint, with the armorial replaced to reflect the change ...
A Canadian Coin silver tablespoon pair in the Fiddle pattern, with engraved initial H. The spoons have excellent hallmarks, comprising of makers mark IM, NB for New Brunswick, and pseudo hallmarks lion passant, anchor and Georgian duty mark bust (this last one sideways). Canadian Maritime silversmiths of the early 19th century favoured imitation hallmarks, dictated by competition from imported English silver. St John silversmiths adopted the NB hallmark for New Brunswick, following their colleagues in Halifax (Langdon, pg 22). John Munro was born in 1791, and freed in 1813, he took over his father's shop in 1819. His premises were destroyed twice by fire, first in 1837 and again in 1874. He used a number of different pseudo marks, and also used IM and JM as makers marks (Donald Mackay, Silversmiths and Related Craftsmen of the Atlantic Provinces, page 107). Note - we earlier attributed this makers mark to James Melick, see details below, based on the book "Canadian Silversmiths 1700-1900, published 1966, pag...
A set of four Early Georgian Dutch silver Hanoverian pattern tablespoons, made in Amsterdam in 1754 by Andries Vis. The four tablespoons (also called porridge spoons by the Dutch) have a central rib, and a very strong upturn, enough so it can hang from a finger. The spoons also have a double drop, with a prominent pip at the end of the second drop. The hallmarks are good on all 4 spoons, and include makers mark of a fish for Andries Vis, rampant lion with crown indicating first standard silver (925 sterling quality), town mark for Amsterdam (three crosses under crown) and date letter U for 1754. Andries Vis worked between 1741 and his death in 1799, he is known for his cast figural spoons. He was a very competent silversmith, in addition to spoons he produced teapots and other hollow-ware. His silver is well represented in museum collections, a very similar spoon to these is in the Boijmans museum.
A fabulous pair of Art Nouveau Dutch serving spoons, made in Utrecht in 1914 by C.J. Begeer, possibly based on a design by Jan Eisenloeffel. The spoons are a lovely shape, with a fan shaped design repeated on both back and front of the terminal, long elegant handles and a tear shaped bowl, which is quite deep and suitable for use. This spoon is described as a Brijlepel in Dutch. This pattern is now called the "Waaier Model" (translation Fan pattern) or "Palmet Model" (Palm pattern). As far as we can determine, 1914 is the first year this pattern appeared, so these are early spoons. This pattern is also produced by Van Kempen (model 1008) and Gerritsen (see www.zilver.nl). The hallmarks on both spoons are clear, makers mark B under 2 stars in shield for Stichtsche Zilverfabriek, 833 purity mark lion passant, Minerva head with letter B for Utrecht, and date letter E for 1914. Cornelis J. Begeer studied in Hanau, and worked in the family firm before founding Stichtsche Zilverfabriek in 1904. He focused on modern...
A Scottish Provincial silver Fiddle pattern dessert spoon, by a very rare maker, with excellent hallmarks. The spoon is engraved with initial F in contemporary style, a single initial as is often the case in Scotland. The hallmarks are excellent, well struck and very clear, and include makers mark CT, Gothic A, incuse Fleur De Lys, Gothic A, makers mark CT, for Charles Torchetti, who worked in Aberdeen from 1825 until his death in 1840. In the book "Aberdeen Silver" by Michael Wilson, he is described as a "rare maker, with occasional Fiddle pattern spoons and forks". He was described as a picture framer, optician and looking glass maker in the Aberdeen Trade Directory (Wilson pg 34), he worked from Queens Street. Wilson also notes that Alexander Grant used the same Gothic A and incuse Flear De Lys, and that they came from the same punch, so surmises that Torchetti bought spoons from Grant and applied his own makers mark. The provenance of this spoon is also interesting, it has spent the last 40 years as part...
A fabulous pair of scarce Kings Fiddle Husk tablespoons, of exceptional quality and weight, made by Elizabeth Eaton. These spoons both weigh over 105 grammes each, amongst the heaviest we have encountered. The spoons have the Husk heel, and have no initials or engraving. Kings Husk pattern is a scarce variant of the Kings pattern, the most obvious difference being the omission of the central honeysuckle and a husk shell rather than a concave shell (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 136). In addition there is no shell on the back. It was first produced during the Regency, Paul Storr also produced this pattern. The hallmarks are clear on both spoons, including makers mark EE in a bifoil punch, for Elizabeth Eaton. Eaton inherited the firm in 1845 on the death of her husband William, her son John joined the business in 1854, they sold the business to Henry Holland in 1864. (Culme, Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pg 134). The firm had a good reputation, Elizabeth Eaton exhibited silver spoons and forks at the Gr...
A Coin silver American tablespoon in the Fiddle pattern, made by A F Burbank in Boston, Massachusetts, made around 1853. The spoon is the usual American Fiddle pattern, quite different to English Fiddle pattern, with flat broad handle and pointed bowl. The spoon has very clear hallmarks, A.F. Burbank. and Boston, which are both well struck and very clear. This is the earlier Burbank mark, the later one is incuse, hence we believe this spoon was made early in his career. The spoon has a 3rd hallmark, a very small swan in oval punch (tiny but very clear), this is a French import mark used between 1893 and 1970, indicating legal fineness, so this spoon spent some time in France (Tardy, international Hallmarks, pg 208). The term "Coin Silver" is used for American silver flatware made before 1870 that is not Sterling, slightly lower grade at 90% silver (sterling is 92.5%), made from melted coins, prior to discovery of silver in the USA.
A set of six Cape silver teaspoons in the Fiddle pattern, by Daniel Beets. All 6 spoons have original owners engraved initials JMB. All 6 teaspoons are clearly hallmarked in the same way, with makers mark DB struck twice, alternating with a pseudo Lion passant standard mark, also struck twice. This is a rare combination of marks, not recorded in Cape Silver by Welz, where he shows Beets with star and circular devices, but not with the lion passant punch. Heller shows a Beets mark interspersed with pseudo kings head duty marks, also not shown in Welz, which shows Beets dis also occasionally use pseudo punches. Daniel Beets worked between 1812 and 1828, he was the illegitimate son of German Balthus Beets and Cape slave Angana. His son, also Daniel Beets, also practised as a silversmith, but as he probaly used his fathers punches, no marks are recorded for him. We postulate these could possibly be Daniel Beets Junior, sharing pseudo punches with fellow silversmiths, a practice that is known to have happened.
An interesting early Georgian Irish Hanoverian tablespoon, made by Alexander Richards in Dublin 1764. The spoon has a frontal rib, strong turn-up and a very narrow oval bowl. It is engraved with a Griffin crest on the back of the spoon, showing this spoon was placed on the table bowl down. The spoon is bottom marked, the date letter is very clear, but the makers mark , crowned harp and Hibernia are are worn, but still discernable. Alexander Richards, a noted Irish spoonmaker, worked between 1724 and 1768 (Bennett, Irish Silver, pg 152).
A Dutch silver Hanoverian pattern tablespoon (or porridge spoon as referred to by the Dutch) made in Utrecht in 1805 by Sebastiaan de Mare. The spoon has the traditional Hanoverian central rib with turn up end, and a wide drop. The spoon has the original owners initials BI engraved on the back of the spoon, dating back to when spoons were placed on the table bowl down (with initials displayed). The spoon has 5 clear hallmarks, including an excellent makers mark of a laying deer for Sebastiaan Gijsbert de Mare, this mark is a lovely makers mark and exceptionally well struck and clear. The spoon also has the Utrecht city coat of arms mark struck twice, indicating first standard ( Grote Keur), or 925 sterling standard. The date letter is slighty obscured, we believe X for 1805 but could also be K for 1793. The final mark is the Dutch Crowned O second assay mark, quite rare as only used between 1807 and 1810, used as a re-examination mark of earlier silver when resold, or for imported articles without payment of ...
A magnificent Arts and Crafts silver Apostle spoon, one of the finest we have seen. The spoon has a well cast Apostle complete with Nimbus in flowing robe, with one hand raised in blessing. The detail is lovely, including the full beard and flowing hair. He stands on an attractive pedestal with scrolls and foliage. The stem is very unusual, with an open pear shaped loop at the base and central groove (front and back), it is hand hammered and is wrapped in an applied entwined scroll. The bowl is also hand hammered, circular but tapered as it joins the stem, with a fascinating drop (or join), the tapered bowl splits into two strands which are curled into rolls, held in place by 2 silver balls - we have never encountered this before in a spoon. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark F.C in quatrefoil punch for Frederick Courthope. Courthope took over the business of respected George Angell in 1884. he started trading in his own name in 1889, he worked until 1912. He was a master silversmith, who hand mad...
An interesting Guild of Handicraft silver preserve spoon, hand made by the Harts of Chipping Campden. The spoon has a Celtic inspired finial with interlocking raised flowers on a matt background, which gives a nice contrast. The upper spoon shaft has been shaped with 4 notches on either side, which adds to the design, and also catches the light, similar to bright cutting. The fig shaped bowl is planished (hand hammered) with the individual hammer marks visible of the back of the bowl (the front of the bowl is smooth). The spoon also has a diamond shaped rat-tail, which is raised. The hallmarks are clear, including G of H makers mark.
A provincial silver Seal Top spoon, with an acanthus baluster seal top, which is probably a Taunton casting. The seal top is well made, and has remnants of gilding throughout, especially in the recessed areas. The stem is flattened hexagonal, and the bowl is the traditional fig shape, and it has a small rat-tail . The seal top has remnants of prick engraving, some pricks clearly visible, but not enough to read what was engraved. The spoon bowl itself is the traditional shape, with deep bowl, curving down from the stem. The spoon is struck 3 times by the same makers mark, once in the bowl and twice on the stem. The marks are not very clear, either they are worn or more probably struck with a worn punch. The punch has a rough shield shape with irregular edge, with a trifid top edge (Poole, Identifying British Silver, punch shapes, pg 15). The figure in the punch has a smaller roughly circular shape on top of a larger circular shape, our imagination runs to a crown over rose, piece of fruit or even a bird (with ...
A mixed and interesting set of 6 Cape silver Old English pattern teaspoons, all made by members of the Lotter family of Cape silversmiths. It consists of 3 matched spoons by Gerhardus Lotter, 2 spoons by his cousin Carel David Lotter, and 1 spoon by his brother Willem Godfried Lotter. The 3 spoons by Gerhardus are marked by makers mark GL (Welz mark 68), one spoon by Carel has makers mark CDL (Welz mark 63), the other Carel spoon has CDL between 2 stars (Welz mark 64). The Willem spoon has WGL between 2 L shaped devices (Welz mark 94), all marks are clear. One Carel spoon has original engraved initials DJLR, the other 5 have no engraving. The spoons have very slight differences in style and length, but they are close enough to be used as a set.
An Arts & Crafts silver caddy spoon, with a round bowl, curved fish tail handle, and planished (hand hammered) finish. A very similar caddy spoon is depicted in the book "The Caddy Spoon in the 20th Century", page 15, illustration d, which was made by George Hart of the Guild of Handicraft in 1977 (our spoon lacks the thread decoration). The spoon is clearly hallmarked for London 1963, with makers mark W.H.W. for William Henry Warmington (Harry). Harry Warmington was "an integral member of the Guild of Handicraft workshop for some 50 years, he was one of the best silversmiths to have worked in Campden, he was also a fine engraver. Despite his abilities, he never applied to become a Freeman of the Goldsmith's Company", quote from the book "The Harts of Chipping Campden, pg 31. Harry was recruited by George Hart in 1912 from the local grammar school, he joined the infantry in 1914 on the outbreak of World War I, then the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, he was based at Farnborough at an aircraft repair depot, he rej...
An interesting pair of Cape Silver Old English pattern teaspoons, by the rare maker J De Jongh. The spoons have a Continental feel, with a rounded drop and strong overhang at the end of the spoons. They are stamped with full makers mark "J.DE.JONGH" (Welz mark 43, pg 148, Cape Silver), and are also stamped with initials IFP, the initials here being individually struck, as can be seen from their irregular pattern. Welz provides no details for De Jongh, saying only it appears on silverware as though it was a makers mark. David Heller (History of Cape Silver, pg 77) refers to De Jongh as a "seldom found" maker, indirectly connected to the Lotter family (relation of Hendrik de Jongh, married to Johanna Combrink in 1795, sister to silversmith Johannes Combrink). The initials IFP are retailers marks for Johan Frederik Pollnitz, of the firm Wagner & Von Pollnitz, who retailed silver amongst other goods from Longmarket Street between 1837 and 1847 (Morrison, The silversmiths and goldsmiths of the Cape of Good Hope, ...
A fabulous set of 12 Arts and Crafts hand forged silver Rat-tail Hanoverian teaspoons, made by the Harts of Chipping Campden, who still operate as the Guild of Handicraft today. The spoons have a ribbed Hanoverian front and Rat-tail, copying the popular 18th Century pattern circa 1730. These spoons are the large teaspoon size, and are quite heavy (all over 20 grammes), and are very pleasing quality. 3 Spoons were made in 1974 (a short year which only ran for 7 months, as the change-over month was moved from May to January), 3 are 1975 and 6 are 1976, so possibly the set was built up over time. The 3 spoons from 1974 are slightly lighter (average 20 grammes) than the other 9 (average 23.5 grammes), and have a slightly smaller and more elongated bowl, the remaining nine are identical in every way, possibly a different silversmith made the first 3. This slight difference is only really noticeable on close inspection and comparison (see photographs). The hallmarks on all 12 spoons are clear, including makers mark...
A Tiffany silver baby or child's spoon and fork, intended as a Christening present. These are quite small, suitable for use by a toddler, they are really sweet. The pattern on the back and front has a double reeded edge, terminating in a V shape in the bowl. The fork tines are quite fat and blunt, so not dangerous. Both are hallmarked "Tiffany & Co Sterling M", the M indicating a date between 1907 and 1947.
A very interesting West Country Provincial Apostle spoon, made by Thomas Dare II of Taunton. The Apostle has a circular nimbus with flying dove, the modelling is slightly crude (for example facial features not very distinct), his right hand is higher than his left, he appears to be holding something stretching between both hands, possibly the bat of St James, but this could also be a fold in his robe. He stands on the usual pedestal, and retains a pleasing amount of the original gilding. The join is flat (as opposed to London made V joint spoons), as is usual for provincial spoons, the stem is flat front and back but has rounded edges. It joins to the bowl with a small crude rat-tail, the bowl is the traditional fig shape, with deep bowl and strong curve from stem. This Apostle could also be St Matthew or St John, but safest to describe it as a generic Apostle spoon with no coherant emblem. The spoon is struck 4 times with makers mark TD in shaped shield over Fleur De Lys (M 38 in Tim Kent's book "West Count...
An interesting set of 6 Fancy back or Picture back sterling silver teaspoons, these are replicas or Georgian silver originals circa 1750 to 1770. Each spoon has a different die stamped bowl decoration, these 6 spoons are replicas of some of the rarest designs. They include:
1. Fleur de Lys, a stylised French lily used in heraldry.
2. Milkmaid in period garb, with yoke and 2 pails.
3. Fox and crop, with fox head above 2 crossed riding crops.
4. Stag, with antlers, running across grass.
5. Birdcage with bird on top under "I LOVE LIBERTY", commemorating the release of John Wilkes from unjust imprisonment.
6. Urn of flowers, with a Georgian garden urn filled with flowers.
All 6 pictures are well struck in perfect condition, with no wear. All 6 spoons are also clearly hallmarked. The set comes with original leaflet entitled "Reproductions of Georgian Sterling Silver Teaspoons", with explanatory notes and explanation of hallmarks.
A lovely silver seal top spoon made by the Guild of Handicraft, to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. The spoon has a traditional seal top, hexagonal stem, hand hammered fig shaped bowl and a rat tail. Unusually the spoon has six hallmarks, including maker's mark G of H for the Guild of handicraft, sterling lion, 925 standard mark, leopard's head town mark, date letter C and the Queen's golden jubilee mark, only used in 2002. The spoon is handmade in the traditional manner, it is a pleasure to use and hold. The spoon would make an ideal Christening spoon, it could also be used as a jam spoon. The Guild of Handicraft is operated today by the Harts of Chipping Campden, "www.hartsilversmiths.co.uk". They have also published a book called: "The Harts of Chipping Campden - An insight into four generations creating fine silver in the Arts and Crafts tradition", we highly recommend this book.
A lovely set of 6 Rat-tail Hanoverian coffee spoons with gilded bowls, and matching sugar tongs. These spoons have wavy rat-tails, a very unusual feature we have not seen before. The arms of the tongs are modeled as matching spoons, complete with the wavy rat-tail. Hallmarks on all 7 items are clear. Harry Synyer and Charles Beddoes worked between 1897 and 1949, from Vyse Street, Birmingham.
A cast silver reproduction of the Lady in Crinoline caddy spoon, originally made by John Figg in 1844. The spoon depicts a lady in a crinoline dress carrying a parasol, the bowl is a matt chased rocaille shell. Being cast, this is an extremely heavy caddy spoon at 42 grammes, it is superb quality. The original is a highly important and extremely rare caddy spoon, it is depicted in John Norie's Caddy spoon book (plate 10) and also in the book "Investing in Silver" by Eric Delieb, pg 31, where it is pictured and described as "the superb little lady in the crinoline of the chinoiserie revival period". A similar spoon was part of the John Norie collection of caddy spoons, sold as lot 99, part 1 (Woolley & Wallis, April 2004). The hallmarks are clear.
A Swedish silver spoon, commemorating the Goteborg Jubilee Exhibition of 1923, celebrating 300 years since the city was founded. The spoon has the bust of the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus The Great, who was King between 1611 and 1632, he founded Sweden as a great power, and was a great military commander. November 6 is still celebrated in Sweden as Gustavus Adolphus day. The spoon has a large, deep fig shaped bowl, the stem reads "1923 Goteborg", the finial has a circular bust of the King, surrounded by flowers and scrolls. The spoon has clear hallmarks, the Swedish 3 crown National mark, S sterling silver standard mark, date letter M8 for 1938, and Stockholm city mark (kings head), along with C.G. HALLBERG makers mark. We are not sure how to reconcile the 1923 date with it's 1938 production date, we can only assume it was still in demand. CG Hallberg was a prominent Swedish Goldsmith, jeweler to the Swedish court, and one of the top firms in Sweden in the early 20th century.
A very fine Edwardian silver replica of a Baluster Seal Top spoon, made by Crichton Brothers, who were the leading British dealers of their time, with 3 Royal appointments. The spoon is very good quality, and a pleasing size and weight, a pleasure to use. The seal top is engraved with initial H, this spoon was probably a Christening present. Lionel Alfred Crichton, 1890-1938, was known for it's fine quality replica silver, see our photo of their advertisement. Lionel Crichton also set auction records for silver purchases in 1914, he paid the record sum of 5600 pounds at Christies for a silver standing salt, dated 1508 (Henry VIII), from Lord Ashburnham's collection. This spoon could be a copy of the "massive and heavy baluster sealtop, London 1592", depicted in "English and Scottish Silver Spoons", Volume 1, pg 236, by Commander How. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark LAC.
An interesting set of 6 Salisbury seal top silver coffee spoons, perfectly preserved in their original box. The spoons have gilded seal tops, flattened stems and fig shaped bowls, with the leopard's head town mark struck in the bowl. These are replicas of seal top spoons circa 1600. The spoons are good quality, we really like these spoons. The set is accompanied by an original pamphlet, depicting 7 seal top spoons, it reads: "The Salisbury Seal Top Spoons, actual copies of the seven spoons dug up in 1906, on Lord Pembroke's Estate, Netherhampton, reproduced as fruit, jam and teaspoons. The originals are now in the British Museum, and are valued at GBP 300-400, circa 1596-1632". Thomas Bradbury and Sons worked between 1736 and 1943, Frederick Bradbury was the author of "History of Old Sheffield Plate" (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths, page 57).
An interesting set of 4 Cape silver Fiddle pattern tableforks, by Lodewyk Beck. They have no initials, although 1 fork has the remnants of an initial just visible. It appears 1 fork was made at a different time, as the hallmarks are struck differently from the other 3. The hallmarks include makers mark LB with 4 pseudo English hallmarks, including lion, duty mark, castle town mark and date letter a. What is interesting about the hallmarks is that they are all individually struck, with not too much care, both the sterling lion and the date letter have been struck upside down on one, it appears the order and orientation of hallmarks was not important to Cape silversmiths. The 4th fork, has the same hallmarks but struck further apart. Lodewyk Willem Christiaan Beck worked between 1847 and 1867, from Shortmarket street and Greenmarket Square.
A sterling silver caddy spoon, with the engraved crest of the Royal Mint of Pretoria. The spoon is good quality, a pleasing weight and the crest is very clear. The Royal Mint of Pretoria was opened in 1923 as a branch of the Royal Mint of London. It broke ties with London in 1941, becoming the South African Mint. The Royal Mint of Pretoria branch was one of 6 Royal Mint branches, the others in Canada (Ottawa), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Perth) and India (Bombay). The Pretoria Mint produced British gold sovereigns between 1923 and 1932, these carry the SA mint mark. The caddy spoon hallmarks are clear, being 925, silver and RMP makers mark. We assume the spoon was made in 1923 to commemorate the opening of the Mint. This matches item S1362, which we have already sold.
A lovely hand hammered Portuguese silver Arts and Crafts spoon, with a blue stone cabochon set in the handle, possibly turquoise. The spoon is a pleasing gauge, quite heavy, this is a good quality hand made spoon. The spoon has a rounded bowl with quite a long handle, so possibly a jam spoon or sauce ladle. The hallmarks include "Pedro A Batista", a very small Portuguese standard mark (eagle facing left above 925, in rectangular canted punch for Porto), and additional makers mark of crossed hammer and spanner.
An interesting silver caddy spoon commemorating the Queen's silver jubilee, with a detailed crown finial over "E II R 1952-1977", and the hallmarks and silver jubilee mark forming a prominent part of the design. It is a very good weight, and good quality. The hallmarks are very clear. Da-Mar silverware was chaired by David Shaw, the MD was Martin Collins (www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk).
An antique Danish silver christening spoon, this is a 19th century replica of a 16th century spoon, originally used for Royal coronations. This is a beautiful spoon, extremely good quality, it has a lovely feel. The circular bowl is engraved in traditional style, the gilded front with Madonna holding 2 babies, one with a crown, and surrounded by traditional religious inscription in ancient Scandinavian (translation assistance would be most welcome!). The back of the bowl is engraved with St Olaf of Norway, holding battleaxe and orb, standing on a lion with crowned head, also surrounded by inscription. The cast handle of the spoon is very decorative, a head above a warrior with sword, above traditional implements (thor hammer, hand). The back of the handle has an attractive celtic design. The hallmarks include makers mark A.M (possible Anton Michelson?), the Copenhagen town mark (3 towers), date letter for 1868, and assay masters mark SG for Simon Groth, who worked between 1863 and 1904. Wayne Bednersh, author...
A very rare set of 4 Palm pattern soup spoons, made by George Adams of Chawner & Co, who were the most important mid 19th century firm of spoon makers (Pickford, Jacksons Hallmarks, pg 56). The spoons are exceptional quality and weight, just under 100 grammes each, they are a joy to hold. The spoons are engraved with the original owners initials, "JK & CK". The Palm pattern is described as "very rare, produced by Chawner & Co, in whose pattern book it appears" by Pickford in his book "Silver Flatware, pg 148". The book also has a photo of a Palm pattern fork and spoon from the V&A museum. The spoons are beautifully made, with good detail on the palm leaves. The hallmarks on all 4 spoons are extremely clear, marked on the bowl to prevent damage to the pattern. Two interesting journeymans marks are also present, 3 dots and K, probably the craftsmen involved in making the spoons. A Palm pattern tablespoon sold as lot 73, Finial postal auction January 2012. Please note we also have a Palm pattern butter knife, S1...
A rare and beautiful set of 6 silver and enamel mocca spoons, complete with "coffee bean" terminal, gilded bowls, and beautifully enamelled back of bowls in chinoiserie style. These are gorgeous spoons with 6 very different pictures, beautifully enamelled with rich colours, including gold. Two scenes depict pagodas, and one has a Chinese figure complete with fan, golden trident and some Chinese script. The 4th spoon has a gold geometric design on deep blue enamel, with arrows and flowers. The final 2 (our favourites) have a floral theme. The spoons are in their original box, "By Appointment to HM the King, the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Ltd, 112 Regent Street, London". The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths amalgamated with Garrards in 1952, now part of Mappin & Webb. The hallmarks on all 6 spoons are clear.
A rare set of early Scottish Provincial tablespoons from Aberdeen, in the Old English pattern. The spoons all have engraved initial "P", which is contemporary. The spoons are early, and have a double drop. The spoons have pleasing dimensions, and are a good weight. The hallmarks include makers mark "AT" in script for Alexander Thompson, who worked between 1770 and 1779 in Aberdeen. The second mark is "ABD.n" in script, for Aberdeen (see Jackson pg 584). All 8 spoons are hallmarked, but some hallmarks have been slightly compressed during shaping of the spoons, and some are lightly struck or worn. Alexander Thompson was apprenticed to Coline Allan (one of Aberdeen's finest silversmiths), he was free in 1770, but unfortunately died young in 1779. He made very high quality spoons (Michael Wilson, Aberdeen Silver, A Collectors Guide, pg 32, which is a book we highly recommend).
A very interesting collection of 10 silver replica spoons, all in 16th century style, made to commemorate the silver jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. These are lovely spoons, all very good quality, with very clear hallmarks, and are faithful replicas of the originals, mostly in museums. The spoons include:
1. Leicester spoon, Seal Top, circa 1600
2. Wrythen Knob spoon, London 1500
3. Maidenhead spoon, London 1521 (Blessed Virgin Mary)
4. Owl Knopped spoon, London 1506, original set of 6 at Corpus Christi College, Oxford
5. Lion Sejant, London 1570
6. Cone spoon, London 1538 - "Fruitlet Knop"
7. Pudsey spoon, London 1525, Tudor rose on seal (Mayer Museum, Liverpool)
8. Seal Top spoon, London 1544
9. Leicester spoon, seal top circa 1600, Brittania silver
10. Lion Sejant, London 1570, Brittania silver
The first 8 spoons (sterling) were made by CJ Vander in London (one dated 1976 without jubilee mark), the last 2 were made by Garrards in Sheffield, in the higher grade Brittania silver (950). Seve...
Two sterling silver Apostle spoons, the first St. Jude and the second St. James the Greater. Both Apostles are well modeled, with lovely detail. St. Jude carries an axe, St. James a staff and bible. Both spoons are from a set (no 146) which originally contained 13 spoons, issued by The Heritage Collection in 1978, limited to 1000 sets. The hallmarks are clear, and include maker mark CM (Cape Mint, part of the Pagliari Group), STG for Sterling silver, antelope head for South Africa, and date letter E for 1978. Both spoons have the Apostle's name engraved on the stem.
A set of 4 Scottish Provincial silver teaspoons in the Celtic pointed pattern, by James Douglas of Dundee. The spoons have original script initials BS. The hallmarks include makers mark ID for James Douglas, followed by a crowned shield and topped heart, used by Douglas (Turner, Directory of Scottish Provincial Silver, pg 62). The hallmarks are clear, especially the topped heart mark, which is in an unusually shaped punch, almost heart shaped. James Douglas worked in Dundee between 1796 and 1820.
An unusual set of Scottish Silver Hanoverian tablespoons, made in Victorian times. These spoons are lovely spoons, very good quality and weight, a pleasure to use. The spoons have a double drop, are bottom marked and have script initials "AW" engraved on the back of the spoons, in 18th century style. The spoons were probably made to order, as they are replicas of an earlier style. The hallmarks on all 4 spoons are excellent, including makers mark "G&MC" for George and Michael Crichton, who worked between 1864 and 1876.
A very interesting commemorative silver serving spoon, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Samuel Crompton who died in 1827. Crompton was an inventor who invented the spinning mule, he is regarded as a pioneer of the British spinning industry, which contributed greatly to the industrial revolution. This is a lovely spoon, very good quality and weight, ideal for serving. The hallmarks are excellent, and are accompanied by a registration mark, Rd 727476, indicating the spoon design was registered at the patent office. The spoon is also stamped "Preston's Ltd". Prestons of Bolton is a jewellery store founded in 1869, it still exists today, and is regarded as the "Diamond Centre of the North". Crompton was born, lived and died in Bolton.
A magnificent pair of Victorian silver gilt spoons, with a beautiful figure of a maiden (or Goddess), sculpted with lovely detail. She is full figure, with a long flowing dress with a high slit, with flowers adorning the front. She holds her arms crossed, and has her hair in a bun. The design has a strong Art Nouveau look and feel, these spoons were well ahead of their time when made in 1873. The spoons are very good quality and gauge, very suitable for use as serving spoons for a dessert. The hallmarks are very clear on both spoons. Henry William Curry took over the business of Augustus Piesse in 1868, which he continued until 1889. Of interest is that Curry was in trouble with the Goldsmiths Hall in 1880 in a matter of counterfeiting hallmarks (John Culme, Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pg 366). Curry has left behind some fabulous silver, top notch quality and beautiful intricate designs, he deserves further study. Henry William Curry's brother Charles John Curry was in partnership with Alexander Crich...
A set of 6 teaspoons and matching jamspoon in original box, designed to commemorate the inauguration of the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria on 16 December 1949. The front of the spoons have the Boer oxwagon wheel and powder horns, along with the Zulu shield and assegaai (spear). The rear has an outline of the Voortrekker Monument, with inscription "1949 SVK UWB". These spoons are good quality, with cast design. SVK stands for Sentrale Volksmonumente Komitee (Central Peoples Monument Committee) which was formed in 1931, with the aim to build a monument to honour the Voortrekkers (Pioneers) who left the Cape Colony in 1835. The spoons were sold to assist raising funds for the building of the monument, which cost GBP 350000. The hallmarks are clear on all spoons. The spoons were designed by the famous South African artist W.H. Coetzer, the original design is in MuseumAfrika in Johannesburg, and depicted in " Catalogue of Pictures in the Africana Museum", vol 6, pg 157, C1113. Willem Hermanus Coetzer also design...
A lovely set of 12 rat-tail trefid silver teaspoons and matching sugartongs, also with rat-tail, well preserved in original box. This set is antique, being over 100 years old, but was made as a replica of an earlier style (circa 1680). In late Victorian and Edwardian times good quality replicas of earlier styles were popular, this set is also very good quality, and is suitable for use. The hallmarks on all 13 pieces are excellent. James Dixon & Sons is a well known firm, first established in 1806 and still in business today.They employed over 600 people during Victorian times (Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths).
A delightful Georgian silver caddy spoon, heart shaped with a deep bowl, with a bifurcated stem, thread pattern and coffin end. The bifurcated stem is quire a fragile design, hence the old repair where the handle has been rejoined to the bowl. The spoon has very clear hallmarks in the bowl, as well as an additional makers mark on the handle. Matthew Linwood was a highly regarded silversmith described by Delieb as "produced some of the finest of all the Birmingham boxes" in his book "Silver Boxes". He is also well known for his caddy spoons. A very similar caddy spoon was part of the John Norie collection, depicted as lot 187 (Part 1, Woolley & Wallis, 2004). This particular spoon was made by Josiah Snatt in London 1801.
A set of 6 silver Art Deco grapefruit spoons, made in Sheffield in 1939, just before the start of the war. The spoons are classic Art Deco, with flared terminals, with shaped 5 sided bowls, with a strong curved tip for digging into a grapefruit. The spoons are a good weight and quality, perfect for everyday use. The hallmarks on a 6 spoons are very clear, the spoons also have a registration mark, RD 835635, which protected the design, and are also stamped "Made in England".
Two Scottish silver toddy ladles in the Fiddle pattern, both made in Glasgow but by different makers at a different time (not a pair). The earlier one by D. McDonald is slightly longer, and has an engraved initial W. The later one by W. Allan is shorter, and has a less pronounced bowl angle. Both have a very clear and full set of Glasgow hallmarks, the fish, bird and bell being fully visible in the town mark.
A rare west country seal top silver spoon, with a Salisbury Group A finial. The seal top is prick engraved "E.B over T.B, 1661", indicating the celebration of a marriage. The bowl is fig shaped, and the stem is tapered and faceted. A small rat-tail connects the bowl to the stem. The seal top join is clearly visible at the back of the spoon, a horizontal join, as opposed to V joint seen on London spoons. The seal top is a decorative baluster casting, of substantial size, decorated with scrolls and gadrooning. This has been described by Tim Kent as a "Salisbury Group A" (Salisbury Silver and its Makers, 1550-1700, Silver Society Journal 3), where similar examples are illustrated on page 16. Kent has recognised that many West Country seal tops of the period were made by one silversmith who specialised in seal top castings, and who distributed them to the silversmiths of the area. Kent also identifies John Smith II as one of the silversmiths who used these (he cites an example of a Salisbury type B found on a sea...
A lovely replica 16th century spoon, made to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977. The spoon has a gilded royal crown finial, traditional fig shaped bowl, hexagonal stem, and the Royal Coat of Arms on the back of the bowl. The Royal Coat of Arms has the motto " Dieu et Mon Droit", translated "God and my Right". The spoon is very good quality, as you would expect from Mappin & Webb, who hold a Royal warrant, and has a lovely feel. The hallmarks are excellent, with the Sheffield rose townmark in the bowl, as is usual on 16th century spoons. The spoon also has an additional hallmark, the Queen's jubilee mark, which was only used in 1977. This spoon would make a very suitable Christening present.
A lovely Hanau silver commemorative spoon, with a cast bust of Frederick the Great, with lovely detail. The bust sits on a plaque with the words "Fridericus Borussorum Rex 1740-1786", translated "Frederick King of Prussia". The stem of the spoon is decorative, with dolphins, a crown and a twisted design. The spoon bowl is also decorated with flowers and scrolling foliage. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark "n" (Scheffler 489) for Neresheimer, and stylised bunch of grapes (image 1, 3rd hallmark under Neresheimer on www.925-1000.com). The Neresheimer n is also called the "Nuremberg n" (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths). They also include importers mark B.M (struck twice) for Berthold Muller, who for many years was the sole British agent for Neresheimer (Culme). Berthold Muller and Son traded between 1892 and 1915, when Muller changed his name to Miller (we assume as a result of anti-German feeling in London during the First World War). The 2 B.M marks were struck by different punches, the larger one B...
A lovely example of an American souvenir spoon, which were very popular at the turn of the 20th century, and one of the finest we have encountered. The spoon depicts a Canadian Indian, complete with bow and arrows, tomahawk, feather headdress, Canada ribbon, and delightfully detailed moccasins. This is a rare spoon, the Indian here is not depicted in "Collectible Souvenir Spoons", the authority on souvenir spoons, by Wayne Bednersh. The spoon bowl depicts Brandon College, Brandon, Manitoba, and the Indian figure is holding the enamelled Royal Coat of Arms of the UK, with quarters of England, Scotland and Ireland, under the Royal Crown. This was used in Canada prior to the confederation in 1867, so it is a little mysterious why a Canadian spoon from 1900 is still using these arms. Brandon College was founded in 1899 as a Baptist institution, and was completed in 1901, this spoon would have commemorated the opening. Over 200 students of Brandon College fought during WWI, 2 were awarded the Victoria Cross. Brand...
Lovely elegant set of Art Deco coffee spoons, with striking finials, long handles and a right angle between stem and bowl. The hallmarks are clear on all spoons. Interesting to note these spoons were made in 1943, during the middle of the second world war. The well known firm of Dixon and Sons, which was formed in 1806, still exists today.
A set of 2 Cape silver Fiddle pattern tablespoons, by a lesser known Cape silversmith whose work does not appear very often. The spoons are a slightly different length (being handmade) and have similar but different hallmarks, so they were probably made at different times. Both have makers mark DC in between two floral or star devices, but both the makers mark and devices have differences, indicating they were struck by different punches. One DC makers mark has separate DC, the other DC appears to be cojoined. The floral or star device was used by a number of Cape silversmiths, including Beets, Hockly, Lotter, Townsend, Twentyman and Vos. The makers mark DC between 2 stars is depicted in Heller's Cape Silver Vol 2 (pg 122), where it is shown as mark NMM15.
A set of 6 Cape Silver tablespoons in the Fiddle pattern, with initials CIH over WAM. The initials CIH are older, the have more wear than the WAM initials, which would have been added later after a change of ownership of the spoons. All 6 spoons have excellent hallmarks, makers mark FW with the "Cape Stub" pseudo English hallmarks (see article on the Cape Stub in our articles section).
A lovely pair of decorative Hanau silver Christening (or anointing) spoons, with an Apostle carrying a baby standing on a winged cherub's head. The stems are twisted, the base decorated with a peacock eating fruit, above a face. The back of the bowls are richly decorated with a diamond pattern and scrolling foliage, and the spoons have a rat tail. The spoons are cast, and as such are quite solid, with a pleasing weight. As is usual with Hanau silver, they are replica's of fine 17th century German silver.
The spoons, which have no Hanau hallmarks, were imported into Britian in 1889 by David Bridge of the firm John Smith & Co, as can be seen by makers mark D.B and capital F (hallmark for foreign silver, used between 1867 and 1903). The spoons also have date letter O for 1889. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear. John Smith & Co. imported a great deal of decorative silver into Britian, much of which was of German origin, presumably Hanau (Culme, Gold and silversmiths).
A set of 4 Cape Silver dessert spoons in the Fiddle pattern, with initials ACI clearly engraved on each spoon. The spoons have pseudo English hallmarks (duty mark, castle and date letter C), this is mark 139 from Welz (Cape Silver). No makers mark is present, but we can be confident the maker is Lawrence Twentyman, as he was the only Cape silversmith to use these particular hallmarks. The hallmarks are clear on all 4 spoons.
An extremely rare child's puritan spoon, dating back to the Commonwealth period, when Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector of England. The spoon has a flat stem with straight sides, and a curved spade shaped bowl. The spoon also has a small V shaped drop. The puritan spoon replaced the slip-top spoon (with hexagonal stem and fig shaped bowl) during the early Commonwealth period, and gained it's name from Cromwell's Puritan soldiers opposed to King Charles I, who considered the more elaborate Apostle spoons "irreverant" (Gask, Old Silver Spoons of England, pg 92). Given that so much silver was melted down during and after the English civil war, Puritan spoons are rare, and the smaller children's puritan spoons are extremely rare. A very similar spoon to this, described as "Rare Charles I child's puritan spoon, 1646, exhibited in Cardiff Museum" was sold as lot 35 of the famous "Alexander James Collection of Early English Silver Spoons", Phillips 1979, with an estimate of GBP 500-600.
Steven Venables worked in L...
A pair of Fiddle pattern toddy ladles, along with an Old English example, but all made by the same maker in the same year. Given Edinburgh hallmarks, the maker WC could be confused with William Cunningham of Edinburgh, but his makers mark is always in a shaped cartouche. The hallmarks on on all 3 are very clear. Note the switching of the order of the duty mark on the pair.
A rare set of 6 Scottish Provincial teaspoons, with engraved initial J. They are an unusual pattern, Fiddle without shoulders, and the edges are bevelled. Each spoon is slightly different, clearly each spoon has been made individually by hand. Each spoon is hallmarked with 3 "pot of lilies" followed by makers mark WC. The marks on 3 spoons are excellent, well struck and very clear, on 2 the bottom right hand corner is not visible, and on 1 spoon the marks are partially visible (but the pot of lilies still clearly visible) - as is often found with makers individually struck by hand. The pot of lilies townmark (azure a pot of growing lilies argent) is taken from the arms of the Burgh of Dundee (Jackson pg 598). Each pot has 3 lilies and 2 handles clearly visible.
A Russian silver Fiddle pattern tablespoon, with very clear hallmarks, including town mark for Tallinn (now Estonia). The town mark is a shield containing 3 lions, and was used between 1842 and 1920 (Watts, Russian Silversmiths Hallmarks). The assay masters mark is very clear (YaN), the mark is recorded by Watts but unknown (pg 89). The makers mark CRH for Carl Reinhold Hefftler is very clear (we previously had this incorrectly identified as Rubert Hermann). The spoon has scripted initials "G et WP" on the front, and "H&TJ" on the back next to the hallmarks.
A set of 3 Fiddle pattern Cape silver tablespoons, which are notable for their strong colonial feel, being slightly crude in nature, and with hand hammered stems. Each spoon is slightly different, clearly each spoon was made by hand, probably in primitive conditions. The drops are also crude, and have an amateurish feel, perhaps these were made by a novice apprentice?
All 3 spoons have pseudo hallmarks, date letter a, date letter B and duty head, with no makers mark. The shape of the outline of date letter B is notched on both sides, making it very distinctive - hence our attribution to Peter Clarke Daniel (mark 41, Cape Silver by Welz). Mark 41 has the 2 date letters (a and B) together, with the duty mark - given the outline and occurrance we are pretty certain the same punches were used, but perhaps not by Peter Daniel himself. Further research is required, as we know Cape silversmiths occasionally interchanged punches amongst one another.
A Scottish provincial Fiddle pattern dessert spoon, made by John Urquhart of Perth. The spoon has script initials L. Whilst the spoon bowl is disappointing, the hallmarks are very well struck and very clear. The Perth town mark (imperial double headed eagle displayed) is taken from the arms of the Burgh (Jackson, pg 613). The hallmarks include makers mark JU, double headed eagle, JU, double headed eagle, S (in an unusual shoreform shaped punch - Poole), having a noticeable indent away from base. These marks are fairly rare, indeed the makers mark and S are not included in Jackson (pg 614). Perth is the former capital of Scotland.
A Scottish provincial antique silver toddy ladle, Fiddle pattern with engraved initial L, and long elegant handle (longer than most toddy ladles). The hallmarks are very clear, AC, C, thistle, pot of lilies, AC. Alexander Cameron added the thistle mark to the Dundee pot of lilies in the early 19th century, after the manner of Edinburgh marks (Jackson, pg 599).
A Scottish provincial toddy ladle, made by David Gray of Dumfries, but with Edinburgh hallmarks for 1818. The ladle is Fiddle pattern, and has a beautiful crest of a crowned swan, standing with wings outstretched, with motto "Be Mindful". This is the crest and motto of Clan Campbell of Cawdor, headed by Earl Cawdor of Cawdor castle. The hallmarks are very clear, including triple cusp duty mark. The D of the makers mark appears to overstrike a P, but the G is very clear. The ladle also has a small heart shaped journeyman's mark.
A set of 6 Scottish Fiddle pattern teaspoons, the shape of the Fiddle typically Scottish. They are accompanied by matching sugartongs with shell bowls. The hallmarks on all 7 items are very clear. The punch outline of the JW makers mark is very unusual, having a wave shaped indentation at both sides. The punch shape is identical to unknown maker "AW" who worked between 1828 and 1843, we assume he was John Williamson's father. John Williamson worked between 1845 and 1881, so these are very early examples of his silver.
A Scottish provincial silver toddy ladle, made in Inverness by Donald Fraser, but hallmarked in Edinburgh in 1830. The ladle is Fiddle pattern and is plain. The hallmarks are very clear, including a large makers mark D.F.
An attractive pair of French Silver grapefruit spoons, with double shell and foliage pattern. These spoons have extremely rare and strange hallmarks. The first is the Giraffe's head Recense mark (Poincon de recense) for Paris, only used between May and October 1838, a period during which the hallmarking system was being changed. It was applied to verify authenticity of marks for the interim period. In addition, th spoons have the Paris assay office mark (medium, 1819-1838), and one spoon has the Paris silver standard 1 (950 grade), whilst the other has the Paris silver standard 2 (800 grade), which as the spoons are identical in every other respect by the same maker, must be an error by the assay master during a confused period. The spoons also have additional marks alongside the makers mark which we have not identified (see photo).
A set of six silver teaspoons with enamel finials, 3 with a swimmer and 3 with a motorcyclist. The teaspoons have an attractive stem, and all 6 are fully hallmarked on the back of the bowl, and all are stamped "England". The enamels were hand painted, as the details on each differ slightly. We can only guess as to their origin, perhaps a special commission for a family involved in both sports.
Typical Scottish silver toddy ladle, in the Fiddle pattern, with engraved initail P. The ladle was made by Andrew Wilkie, a Dundee silversmith, but was assayed in Edinburgh. Silver by Wilkie is found with both Dundee marks (pot of lilies) and with Edinburgh marks, as is the case with other Scottish provincial silversmiths, brought about by the imposition of duty on hallmarked silver. According to Turner (Directory of Scottish provincial silversmiths and their marks), certain makers had a proportion of their silver fully stamped in Edinburgh, to keep their registration as a silversmith valid - and to keep the Revenue service happy that duty was being paid.
A lovely set of Jugendstil German 800 silver teaspoons, of very good quality. The spoons all have a cast crest depicting an eagle within a shield, over a cross within another shield. This has the appearance of a military crest, but this is not our area of expertise. The spoons are in their original box, marked "HG Berg, Guldsmed, Sandefjord", which is in Norway - so the possibility exists that the spoons were manufactured in Germany for the Norwegian market, so the crest could be Norwegian.
A magnificent set of unusual silver gilt cast teaspoons and sugartongs, all of exceptional quality, in original silk lined leather box. Each individual spoon is a replica of an earlier spoon design, covering 300 years of spoon history. They include (as best we can identify):
1. Moors head, twisted stem
2. Onslow with flowers
3. Bearded monks head (Rococo)
4. Pierced handle (rare 18th century design)
5. Apostle spoon. pilgrims staff and book
6. Bacchus (Roman clothes) holding wine goblet
7. Stag with antlers
8. Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, dancing with tambourine
9. The devil, with horns
10. Warrior with raised arm, helmet and brestplate
11. Angels head (blowing clouds?)
12. Cherub's head, ornate stem
13. (Sugartongs) Cupid with wings.
Manoah Rhodes was established in Bradford, Yorkshire in 1836, Thomas Ackroyd Rhodes was appointed Managing Director in 1888. He lived in Frizinghall and Thornbury in Bradford. They also had premises in Hatton Gardens, London. They were Diamond merchants, Goldsmiths ...
A unique set of 12 Hanoverian teaspoons, six of which are shellbacks, the other six are scrollbacks. These spoons predate the common practise of making and selling flatware in sets, complete sets are extremely rare. As is usual of the period, these spoons only have 2 hallmarks, the sterling and makers mark, which given the small size of the spoons were often poorly struck. The makers mark is present on all spoons but discernable on only 8, with 5 being by Charles Hougham (one set of 3 and another set of 2), and one each by Hester Bateman, Ebernezer Coker and Thomas Devonshire & William Watkins. Nine spoons have contempory initials, and 2 have a later crest.
Lovely set of German 800 silver teaspoons, probably produced for a 3rd Reich organisation, of very good quality and weight, with an attractive scrolling border an an unusual crest. The crest is an angel, a young girl in traditional dress with angels wings, holding a shield containing a crown over 2 crossed arrows and circle. We have been informed that this is a Hitler Youth crest, but as this is not our area of expertise we cannot confirm that. We would welcome any views or comments, and hope we are not offending anyone in the event that it is a Hitler Youth crest. The hallmarks are clear, makers mark HTB, actually H hammer B, for the Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik AG of Bremen, Germany. It was founded by 2 Bremen jewellers, Brinkmann & Lange, and produced flatware between 1933 and 1937, when it was absorbed into Wilkens. They were approved suppliers to the German 3rd Reich, RZM mark no. 241 of the NSDAP, and are known to have supplied a number of different military organisations.
A lovely golfing memorabilia teaspoon, with enamel finial of a lady golfer in early 20th century dress. The teaspoon shaft has an attractive design, and the hallmarks are clear. A.J. Bailey worked from the Everest works in Tenby Street.
Rare set of 3 Old English tablespoons made in Carlisle, with Newcastle hallmarks, which are very clear. These spoons all have the same engraved initial B as the 4 tablespoons with the incuse duty mark (item S 1184). John Brown worked between 1822 and 1826, he was an ironmonger and jeweller of English Street, Carlisle, who made a variety of small silverware.
Pair of Old English serving spoons of good gauge, with a nice feel.They are perfect for use as heavy duty serving spoons. They have an interesting crest of a tulip in front of 2 crossed crosses, each cross arm bearing another cross. Hallmarks very clear.
A pleasing, heavy caddy spoon by the well known caddy spoon maker Thomas James, whose spoons often have interesting handle shapes, and a "fish-tail" projection at the base of the handle. The spoon has a beautiful crest of a hand holding a cross, with the motto "VIRTUTI FORTUNA COMIS", translated "excellence, fortune and kindness". The hallmarks are very clear. This spoon appears to be an identical twin of a spoon sold by Woolley and Wallis from the John Norie collection, Part 1, April 2004, lot 132. We have now identified the family crest as belonging to the Mayne Family of Scotland, from Tullibody & Powis in Stirling. The crest is described as "Cubit arm, erect, proper habited sable cuff argent holding a cross crosslet gules", the motto above the crest denotes a Scottish family. One possible original owner of this spoon is Colonel William Mayne, who served as Captain of the 1st Life Guards at Waterloo. Thomas James was freed in 1789, but only entered his own mark in 1804.
Matching set of 6 teaspoons, with engraved initials. These spoons are all 1821, the last year of the crowned leopard London hallmark. Very clear hallmarks with the exception of the makers mark, which is only visible on one spoon.
Matching set of 6 dessertspoons, with engraved initials WG. Very clear hallmarks.
Unusual cape shellback tablespoon, this is the only example of a Cape shellback we have seen. Very clear English pseudo hallmarks and makers mark. Twentyman moved to India in 1832, where he continued to trade as a silversmith.
Beautiful and rare Cape spoon of unusual size and shape, with engraved initials AMW. It is teaspoon size but has a long stem, leading us to believe it is a mash spoon. Mash spoons were used to stir the teapot to assist brewing. Lotter produced very fine silver, although only for 4 years (1813-1817), indicating he probably died young. Very distinct makers mark.
Plain Cape tablespoon with very clear hallmarks, showing makers initials between two Fleur de Lys.
This spoon has an original inscription, "IIH en EL, 1812". These are presumably the initials of the owners and the date of their wedding. A set of 6 tableforks by the same maker and with the same inscription are pictured in David Heller's 2nd Cape Silver book, "Further researches in Cape Silver", page 46, plate 5, with description on page 41. An additional pair of tableforks with the same inscription are present in the Africana Museum, and are pictured in the book "Cape Silver" by Stephan Welz, pg 67.
Cape sauce ladle with very clear hallmarks, the makers initials struck twice between 3 roses. Beets was the illegitimate son of the German Balthus Beets of Neubrandenburg and the Cape slave Angana.
Early Cape tablespoon of Hanoverian pattern, with the end of the spoon turning up.
Beautiful pair of plain Cape tablespoons, with very clear makers mark. Both these spoons have the initial H lightly engraved on the back of the spoon shafts.
Fabulous matching set of 24 spoons (table and dessert) with griffon crest. The tablespoons are large and heavy enough to use as serving spoons. Very clear hallmarks and crest on all 24 spoons.
Beautiful 17th century memorial (memento mori) matching spoon and fork set in outstanding condition, we feel they deserve to be in a museum. Both have cast triangular handles with an unusual finial, which appears to be a naked woman with a serpents head. The fork has 3 prongs, and the spoon has a crude short rattail. Both are engraved " SARA LEWES Obyt 7 Juny 1672". This set is illustrated and described on page 90-91 of the book "Cape Silver" by Stephan Welz, 1976. Welz describes them as possibly Cape, but we feel they are more likely to be Dutch. A very similar spoon is depicted on page 142 of "Dutch Silver" by M.H. Guns, the spoon has an almost identical bowl and shaft. No hallmarks are present. Note: - The curator of the Silver Dept, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, has now described this set as Auricular form, typical of Netherlands in the second half of the 17 th century. His opinion is that it is probably colonial, as known Dutch examples have hallmarks. Note 1 - This set has now been featured in an excellent a...
Beautiful pair of heavy egg spoons with Madras Artillery crest, in the Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern. Very clear hallmarks. George Adams was the proprietor of Chawner and Co., the most important firm of silver spoon and fork manufacturers in Victorian England.
A rare matching pair of twisted stem konfyt (preserve) fork and spoon, the fork having 3 prongs. They have spearhead handles, with typical Cape floral engraving, and very clear hallmarks. Similar forks and spoons are illustrated in Heller's History of Cape Silver (Vol 1, pg 148) and Welz's Cape Silver (pg 41). Byleveld worked from 53 Loop Street and 31 Waterkant Street from 1814 - 1827, when he died age 35.
A rare Cape twisted stem teaspoon, with spearhead handle and typical Cape floral engraving, and clear hallmarks. It is very similar to those made by Jan Byleveld circa 1820, so we can only assume it was made by Vos to match an earlier one made by Byleveld. Vos worked from 127 Long Street for 8 years, before dying at the young age of 27. He was one of the last working Cape silversmiths.
Regimental spoon with Feather edge pattern and gilt bowl by George Adams, the highly regarded Victorian spoonmaker. The spoon has an engraved Royal Crown finial with mounted cross, containing 2 Fleur de Lys. The crown is above an 8 pointed star, containing a crest (hunting horn below ICRV) and the motto "Salus Populi Suprema Lex", which translates as "The health of the people is the supreme law". ICRV stands for Inns of Court Rifle Volunteers, which was a regiment supplied by members of the legal profession belonging to the 4 Inns of London (Lincoln's, Gray's, Inner Temple, Middle Temple). The regiment, which was active in the 18th century, was reformed in 1860 as the 23 Middlesex (Inns of Court) Rifle Volunteer Corps at Lincoln's Inn. The crest sits above an engraved chalice. The spoon is an unusual size, being larger than a teaspoon but smaller than a dessert spoon. The hallmarks are very clear, and in addition to the usual marks also include an additional mark C, possibly a journeyman's mark.
Cast silver gilt sifter spoon, with pirate finial, and shell shaped bowl. This is a lovely spoon of good quality, the pirate finial has very good detail. George Fox was part of the famous Fox family of silversmiths, who supplied many of the leading retailers in their day. As is common with Fox silver, this spoon replicates an earlier style. The hallmarks are well struck, but slightly defaced by a scratch.
Typically late Victorian sugar sifter with ornate cast handle depicting flowers and foliage, and gilded bowl. Hallmarks very clear.
Early sealtop spoon with squat fluted baluster terminal, engraved with original owners initials VV (or W). These initials are repeated on the bowl above the hallmark. The stem is hexagonal and tapered, and the V joint attaching the finial is clearly visible. The bowl has deep concave sides, and curves steeply from the base of the stem. The stem has 3 hallmarks at the base, a clearly visible "orb and cross" makers mark, and worn marks indicating lion passant and date mark S. The bowl has the usual towmmark, but this is worn, with only the outline visible.
This spoon comes complete with an original receipt from H Perovetz Ltd of London, who sold it to Mr McCay of South Africa in 1979 for 700 pounds. The receipt and original Perovetz tag confirms the maker and date, and refers to Jackson pg 105 and How pg 228, plate 8.
(Note: In our previous description we had mentioned some doubt about the London attribution, suggesting the makers mark could possibly be the Cobbold's of Norwich, given the shape of the shield ...
Set of six Irish teaspoons, with an interesting falcon crest, in the Fiddle pattern. These spoons are larger than many other teaspoons (slightly longer and heavier). The hallmarks are very clear on all spoons.
Rare Cape Basting spoon (Old English pattern) with a large and deep bowl, and very clear hallmarks. The bowl is also wider than English versions, as can be seen from the comparative photo. The spoon also has a thick drop. Jan Lotter, who worked from 22 Keerom Street, only produced silver for 4 years from 1813 - 1817.
Matching set of 5 Fiddle pattern Cape teaspoons, with engraved initials MIH. Very clear pseudo English hallmarks.
Beautiful christening set (boxed spoon and fork) with Hey diddle diddle nursery rhyme, in original box. Exquisite detail, as can be seen from the photographs. Spoon bowl shows detail of complete nursery rhyme. The shafts have a dog, the cow jumping the moon and the cat (who has mysteriously switched from a fiddle to a cello!). Levi and Salaman were well known for their large selection of intricate souvenir spoons. Very clear hallmarks.
A good associated set of Onslow Tablespoons, of good gauge and with good ends, very pleasing to use. The 3 oldest spoons are original Onslow, and have the owners initials L+D scratch engraved on them. The 3 later spoons were converted in late Victorian times, a common practice (Ian Pickford comments in his excellent Flatware book that most Onslow pattern flatware that exists today is converted). A very faint butt joint can be detected on close examination with a loop, but is so faint it cannot be seen by the naked eye and is not visible in photographs. The hallmarks are all clear, the Adams spoons have an indented duty mark.
Pleasant set of 4 Cape Silver Fiddle pattern teaspoons. Very clear hallmarks showing makers initials between device.
A lovely set of early Scottish tablespoons, complete with a double drop, by John Welsh, who was entered in 1742, and who made the Liberta Communion cups. The makers mark and townmark are very clear on both spoons, the date mark and thistle are visible one one spoon (slight wear), and worn on the other.
Pleasing early Scottish bottom - marked spoon, with very clear hallmarks, and good weight.
Pleasant set of Scottish Fiddle pattern tablespoons, of very good weight and by a well known maker. Extremely clear hallmarks on all spoons.
Beautiful set of ornate berryspoons, originally by Hester Bateman but converted during Victorian times. The conversion must have been done by a master craftsman as the quality is excellent. The gilt bowls display no wear, these spoons have not seen much use. Delightful crest of a dove holding an olive branch, so I suppose these are peace spoons! The hallmarks are very clear, including the Hester Bateman makers mark.
Beautiful, elegant, early Old English pattern sauce ladles, with a long drop and engraved initials JIL. Smith and Fearn were leading spoonmakers, and the hallmarks are very clear.
Cape Silver Fiddle pattern teaspoon with very clear hallmarks (mark 11 in Welz).
Cape Fiddle pattern dessert spoon with an interesting crest, crudely engraved, of a raised arm holding an axe. Hallmarks are clear, DB repeated twice between two stars.
A lovely Victorian silver Christening spoon of very good quality in original leather case, reproducing the earlier 17th century Dognose pattern (as was popular in late Victorian times). The hallmarks are clear, including journeymans mark (the journeyman was the silversmith who made the spoon in the George Adams' workshop). George Adams was highly regarded, and was the leading spoonmaker of Victorian England
Cape Silver Fiddle pattern tablespoon, with very clear pseudo English hallmarks, including dutymark, bird, castle and date letter B. No makers mark is present, but as only Lawrence Twentyman used this sequence of marks we can be sure of its origin.
A unique collection of 12 early Georgian Hanoverian tablespoons, 8 being George II and four being George III. Sets of flatware from this period are extremely rare, most spoons were made singly or in pairs. All the spoons have clear hallmarks, with visible date letters and makers marks (all but 2 have the makers identified). Five of the spoons are shellbacks, two are scrollbacks, the remaining 5 have double drops. Nine spoons have contempory initials and two have later initials. One spoon has an additional later hallmark JP (John Page, 1900), indicating it may have been repaired at this stage. Identified makers include Thomas Pye, Richard Gosling, Marmaduke Daintry and Robert Sallam.
A very interesting pair of early Georgian Hanoverian tablespoons made by the same person (1 year apart), but with different makers marks (EJ and EO). The first was made in 1749 by Elizabeth Jackson (widow of Charles Jackson), the second circa 1750 by Elizabeth Oldfield (she remarried in 1750, hence the name change - and registered a new mark the same year). Both spoons are of good gauge, and have a long drop. The first spoon has very clear hallmarks, the second has clear makers mark, but other marks worn. One spoon has a worn crest of a dove carrying an olive branch.
A delightful ladle shape sugar sifter, with an unusual pattern of stars, crosses and a half moon oval device. The pattern was cut by hand, and appears a little crude. The handle is initialled HI, and the hallmarks are clear with the exception of the makers mark, which is poorly struck, although still discernable.
A lovely Irish soup ladle in the Fiddle pattern, with an attractive, naive tulip crest. The handle is beautifully curved, so much that the top of the handle is at right angles to the bowl, which makes holding this ladle a pleasure. The bowl, which is quite large, is shaped with high edges which assists pouring the soup out of the ladle. The hallmarks are very clear. Sawyer worked from Fishamble Street from 1797 - 1812, when he died - meaning this ladle was one of his last works.
A Scottish Provincial Fiddle pattern soup ladle, with exceptionally clear and distinct hallmarks, deeply struck with no wear - these hallmarks are rare. The ladle is a good gauge, very solid, and fit for use, and is engraved with the initial I in contempory style. The bowl has a good shape, with raised edges, a feature of earlier ladles. The hallmarks are makers mark CF, ELGIN, cathedral wall and St Giles. The cathedral hallmark represents the west front of Elgin Cathedral Church (Jackson, pg 601), St Giles is its patron saint. The detail of the hallmarks is very good, with windows, door, double roof and battlements visible in the cathedral, and cloak, nimbus, staff and book visible in St Giles. Charles Fowler worked from 1809-1824, most of his silver is marked ELN (as opposed to ELGIN in full), the combination with the cathedral wall and St Giles is scarce.
A fine example of a Scottish Georgian Silver toddy ladle, by very fine makers. The ladle is Fiddle pattern, and is engraved with the initial C, in contempory style. Toddy ladles are uniquely Scottish, used for that "wee dram" of spirits, but also suitable as sauce ladles. The hallmarks are very clear and detailed (the tree, fish and bell in the Glasgow town mark are all visible), an additional "star" journeymans mark is also present. Robert Gray and Sons of Glasgow produced "some of the finest British silver of the period" (Walter Brown, Finial, June 2006). Silver by Gray can be found with both Glasgow and Edinburgh marks, as between 1784 and 1819 the Glasgow assay office was closed.
Fine pair of Fiddle pattern Scottish toddy ladles, with engraved initials WG. The makers mark is very clearly RC, possibly Robert Carfrae, who was an Edinburgh unfreeman in the early 1800's (Source Rod Dietert, who wrote Scottish Compendium) - this maker is not recorded in Jacksons. We had originally suggested Robert Clark, this is now proved incorrect as he joined the military and settled in North America circa 1800. Hallmarks very clear.
We have now been informed this mark belongs to Robert Chisholm, who worked alone from 1833-1835, when he formed the very successful partnership of Mackay & Chisholm (source Henry Fothringham, Historian to the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the city of Edinburgh, website www.incorporationofgoldsmiths.co.uk).
A lovely Edwardian Christening set, comprising of a replica rattail trefid spoon with ribbed rattail, very distinct notches, with matching fork, in original box. Both have very clear hallmarks. Francis Higgins was a specialist spoon and fork maker, who carried a hammer with him in the workshop to destroy any work not up to his standards (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths). He also commented "it should last more than a lifetime, boy" - he would have been proud of this pair. Higgins supplied leading dealers, including Hunt & Roskell and Garrard, this set was retailed by Mappin & Webb of Oxford Street.
A lovely set of replica laceback rattail trefid spoons, decorated in traditional style, both on the front of the stems and the back of the bowls. The rattail is ribbed, the scrolls are elaborate, and the terminals have the traditional notched pattern. These spoons are Brittania standard (950 grade vs. 925 of sterling), as is often the case with early 20th century replica silver. These spoons are very good quality, and the hallmarks are very clear on all 6 spoons.
A sterling silver caddy spoon, with the engraved crest of the Royal Mint of Pretoria. The spoon is good quality, a pleasing weight and the crest is very clear. The Royal Mint of Pretoria was opened in 1923 as a branch of the Royal Mint of London. It broke ties with London in 1941, becoming the South African Mint. The Royal Mint of Pretoria branch was one of 6 Royal Mint branches, the others in Canada (Ottawa), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Perth) and India (Bombay). The Pretoria Mint produced British gold sovereigns between 1923 and 1932, these carry the SA mint mark. The caddy spoon hallmarks are clear, being 925, silver and RMP makers mark. We assume the spoon was made in 1923 to commemorate the opening of the Mint.
Note: - We now have another example of this Royal Mint Pretoria caddy spoon available, please enquire
A Boer War teaspoon, with a very detailed Lee-Metford rifle as the shaft. The bowl is engraved "Souvenir of the Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1900". The rifle is very detailed, even the strap holes and buckle are visible.The butt of the rifle is engraved Lee-Metford, and the bayonet connects the bowl to the rifle. The hallmarks are very clear, as is the registration number "Rd No 349937". A similar spoon is illustrated in the book "Boer War Memorabilia" by Pieter Oosthuizen, figure 8 on page 119. The Lee-Metford rifle was soon replaced by the Lee-Enfield, which had the advantage of smokeless powder.
An extremely rare, Brittania silver, rattail soup ladle in the Hanoverian pattern, of good gauge. The patination on the ladle is lovely, and the bowl, rattail and handle are in proportion, with no sign of alteration. The ladle has the initials E*G scratch engraved on the back of the handle. The stem rises at a sharp angle (almost 90 degrees) to the bowl, the characteristics of a ladle as opposed to a spoon. Snodin (English silver spoons, 1974, pg 46) describes the earliest ladles as dating from the 1730's, this is a rare early example. The hallmarks are worn but visible, the makers mark is very worn, with only the outline of the shield and a ghosting of the makers initials visible. The date letter is poorly struck, but visible enought to determine D from 1719 fairly confidently. Given the wear on the makers mark, an interesting debate has ensued as to the maker. The first letter is definitely S, the second is unclear, the distinctively shaped shield surrounding the makers mark is clearly visible. We had origi...
Exquisite set of six cast teaspoons, in original box, with Medusa head and snake finial. The detail is excellent, these spoons are extremely high quality. The box has a retailers name - H Greaves, Hew & Corporation St, Birmingham. The hallmarks are clear, 3 spoons are dated 1900, 1 is 1901, 2 are 1902, but they are clearly a set. The spoons are a very good gauge, and are pleasing to hold. Wakely and Wheeler (James and Frank), which still exists today, has long been a highly regarded firm. It was originally founded by John Lias in 1791.
A replica Slip Top spoon, made to commemorate the silver jubilee (25 years on the throne) of King George V and Queen Mary. The spoon is in traditional slip-top form, with hexagonal stem, slip-top end and pear shaped bowl. Original Slip Top spoons date from the early 17th century, and were described by Eric Delieb (Investing in Silver) as "possibly the most graceful of spoons". The hallmarks are exceptional, showing very good detail, including the Jubilee mark which shows the sovereign's heads in profile. This mark was only used in 1934 and 1935 on a voluntary basis.
A pair of Russian silver and enamel teaspoons, with twisted stems and decorated enamel bowls and stems. These spoons are 88 grade silver as opposed to the commoner 84 grade, and were made in Moskow, as indicated by the delta (triangle) next to the Kokoshnik. The makers mark we believe to be that of Ivan Khlebnikov, an important maker who received the Imperial Warrant, and who specialised in enamel. The hallmarks are small but discernable. (Note: - as we are not experts in Russian silver, we cannot vouch for our identification).
Basting spoon in early Old English Pattern, with an elegant narrow handle. In later Old English Pattern the handles flatten out. Basting spoons, sometimes called Turkey spoons, are ideal for use as large serving spoons. The hallmarks are clear, although the makers mark is partially worn, only the GS is visible.
An exceptionally large Danish serving spoon, the largest we have ever seen. The spoon is Fiddle and Thread pattern, and has an hourglass shape. An attractive stylised design is engraved on the back of the handle. The hallmarks are clear, being the Danish Copenhagen towers with 89 underneath (indicating 1889), the makers mark ROST and the assaymasters mark (SG entwined) for S. Groth, who was in office from 1863-1904. This is a good solid spoon, ideal for regular use, especially if you are feeding an army!
A Georgian silver sifter spoon in the Old English Bright-Cut Edge pattern, with bottom marked hallmarks indicating a date pre 1777. The bowl has a lovely ornate floral piercing, and a flat base (as expected from original sifters). The Bright-Cut Edge pattern was popular between 1790 and 1800 (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 102), so we assume the sifter was updated in style then.
John Lambe was a specialist spoonmaker, he worked between 1762 and 1796. His makers mark I*L in oval punch is clear, the lion passant and crowned leopards head are worn but visible, the date letter is very worn but could possibly be the "a" of 1776.
A rare set of 3 Scottish provincial toddy ladles (Fiddle pattern) made by James Pirie of Aberdeen. All 3 ladles have an interesting crest, a dexter hand holding a kings crown, which is well engraved. This is the crest of the Cheeseman family, it is also used by the Robertson family.
The hallmarks JP, ABD, JP are very clear on all 3 ladles. The makers mark JP is quite rare, in fact it is not depicted in Jackson's, although it is recorded in Turner's Scottish provincial silversmiths.
A Scottish Provincial dessert spoon in the Fiddle pattern, made in Arbroath. The spoon is initialled with the letter C. The hallmarks include makers mark AD, crowned head * 2, portcullis. The makers mark AD is very clear, the portcullis is clear, the crowned heads are visible but have some wear, perhaps the punches were worn. Overall hallmarks are very good.
A Fiddle pattern Scottish silver toddy ladle, with a magnificent crest - a unicorn's head erased above a crown, with the motto "Virtute Acquiritur Honos", translated "Honour is acquired by Virtue". This is the motto of the Richardson family. The crown probably indicates the families membership of the peerage. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark AW in strangely indented punch. AW has been attributed to Alexander Wotherspoon (British silver makers marks website) but given the similarity of the punch to JW (John Williamson) there is a high probibility of a family relationship (father and son?), so the maker could be A Williamson.
Two Cape silver tablespoons in the Fiddle pattern, with engraved initials HV, attractively engraved by hand in Colonial style. The hallmarks are excellent, makers mark DB struck twice between 3 stars (Welz mark 15). Although from the initials we can see they are a pair, they are slightly different in quality, weight and condition. 1 spoon is beautiful, good quality, weight and condition, the other less so, it is lighter and has had a rougher life.
A pair of Scottish Provincial silver toddy ladles, made by James Douglas in Dundee. The ladles are Fiddle pattern, and have a well engraved and attractive crest of a raised fist holding a bundle of arrows. The hallmarks include makers mark JD, and pot of lilies struck 4 times. The 4th pot of lily is at right angles to the other 3. Both ladles have good hallmarks.
The crest is the Brodie family crest, a dexter hand holding 5 arrows.
Dainty set of Old English pattern silver teaspoons, 4 spoons by Ely & Fearn and 2 by the Batemans, but all with a matching crest (crest is contempory, indicating this set was put together soon after manufacture). The crest is very fetching, with a lion rampant holding a scallop between its fore-paws. Clear hallmarks.
Lovely boxed set of 8 deco coffee spoons, all with clear hallmarks. In original box from a South African retailer in Pietermaritzburg, the box reads " Farrants Ltd, Goldsmiths and Diamond merchants, 213 Church St, next to Standard Bank, Maritzburg".
A Chinese export silver dessert spoon in the Fiddle pattern. The pseudo-English hallmarks are in excellent condition, well struck and very clear. They include lion passant with triangular indent to punch, crowned leopards head, duty mark and makers mark L.
Linchong was an early maker of Chinese export silver, his silver is usually in the English Georgian style. He worked from New China Street, Canton. Linchong is described as the "unsung Cantonese master Georgian silversmith, who rivals Paul Storr in work quality, whose silver is very rare" - www.chinese-export-silver.com
Plain Cape Fiddle pattern Tablespoon, with very clear English Pseudo hallmarks. No makers mark is present, but the letter M is impressed twice, this has only been recorded on silver by Beck. Beck worked from Shortmarket Street and Greenmarket Square.
A set of Indian Colonial silver Dessert spoons in the Fiddle pattern, with rare hallmarks from little known Calcutta goldsmiths. 3 spoons are by RS and 3 are by BG (both makers are listed but unidentified by Wilkinson in his book "Indian Colonial Silver"). The hallmarks are clear but a little worn, BG with tally mark 14 (Wilkinson, pg 27) and RS with the Fish tally mark (Wilkinson, pg 116). Tally marks are thought to be the mark of the indigenous workman who finished the piece. The tally mark 14 also appears on silver from Twentyman & Co. This set was probably put together when new in Calcutta circa 1830, as they all have the same initials DI, exhibiting some wear. Given the differential wear to the bowl tips, we can only assume that the 3 by BG are softer, higher grade silver than the 3 by RS.
Beautiful pair of Fiddle pattern Cape salt spoons. Vos died age 27 in 1862, having been a silversmith for 8 years at 127 Long street in Cape Town. Very clear hallmarks showing makers initials, in hexagonal outline, and pseudo English sterling and duty mark.
Beautiful set of heavy, elegant grapefruit spoons with classic art deco design. Cased in original box marked "By appointment, Mappin and Webb Ltd, Oxford Street, London". The hallmarks are very clear.
A set of 6 silver and enamel teaspoons, with the badge of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment. The badge has a Scottish thistle surrounded by heraldic strap and buckle, over the "Star of the Order of the Thistle". The motto "Alba nam Buadh" (Well done, Scotland or Scotland, Home of the Virtues) is underneath the thistle. All 6 teaspoons are fully hallmarked. James Fenton worked from Great Hampton St, Birmingham between 1905 and 1954.
A Cape silver dessert spoon in the Fiddle pattern. The spoon has pseudo English hallmarks, all individually struck, all the hallmarks are very clear. They include duty mark, bird, castle and date letter e, with makers mark LT. This is makers mark 131 (Cape Silver by Welz), although they are struck in a different order, which is quite common. It appears the Cape silversmiths were not too scrupulous about how hallmarks were struck.
A Cape silver tablespoon in the Fiddle pattern, with engraved owners initials "de C", so probably a Huguenot. The spoon bowl is quite wide and the top of the handle has a very provincial rib and turn. The hallmarks are very clear, and include makers mark LT, and pseudo-English hallmarks (leopards head, date letter a, duty mark and lion passant). This is mark 135 in "Cape Silver" by Welz.
A boxed set of 6 silver enamel commemorative teaspoons, with enamel "Southern Rhodesia" with coat of arms, and cast bowls featuring "Rhodes Statue, Bulawayo". Cecil John Rhodes was a British empire builder, who obtained mineral rights in the territory later to bear his name in 1888. Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) was the name used for the British colony between 1901 and 1964. The spoons are in their original box, and were retailed by Birch & Gaydon, "Watchmakers to the Admiralty", of Fenchurch street, London. The hallmarks are clear on all spoons, although the makers mark (present but unidentified) is poorly struck and only partially visible.
A very fine Cape tablespoon by a maker who has a reputation of excellent quality, clearly evident in this spoon. Whilst this spoon was made c1850, it is a copy of an earlier 18th century style (Hanoverian with turn up, and the crest on the back of the spoon). The crest is beautiful, a hand holding an elaborate cross and the motto "TORTIS IN ARDUIS", ("twisted and difficult"?). The hallmarks are very clear, showing makers initials and pseudo English hallmarks. Waldek took over the business of Lawrence Twentyman when he moved to India.
A magnificent Bacchanalian pattern silevr dessert spoon, with fluted bowl. This is one of the rarest English silver flatware patterns, it was originally produced by Paul Storr. The spoon shows Bacchus, the Roman God of wine, riding a lion, whilst a topless Diana looks on, with another figure asleep at her feet. The back of the spoon is also beautifully decorated, with a masque over a theatre curtain, and tilted amphora of wine. Bunches of grapes and vine leaves complete the decoration. The spoon is extremely good quality, quite heavy to hold, sturdy enough to use as a serving spoon, and the hallmarks are clear.
Bacchanalian pattern is shown in "Silver Flatware" by Pickford (pg. 127), where an identical dessert service made by Wakely and Wheeler is depicted. The pattern was originally designed by Thomas Stothard, the famous painter and designer, for Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, the Royal silversmiths, in 1812, the first service was used by King George III. The other rare patterns in the same series include Boar...
Rare Russian tablespoon by Kordes, one of the very few silversmith's who were commissioned to work for the Imperial Family. The Assay Master is A. Mitin, who worked from 1842 - 1877. The town mark for St. Petersburg is the crossed anchors and scepter, and is in a square shield with corners, indicating the date of 1873. The 84 standard mark and makers mark are also clear. The assay master mark is clear, but the date letter is worn.
Attractive set of antique Tiffany sterling flatware in the rare Tiffany pattern, comprising matching set of Tablespoons, Tableforks, Dessertspoons and Dessertforks (6 of each). The Tiffany pattern (pattern No 1 in the book "Tiffany Silver Flatware, 1845-1905) was designed by Edward C Moore, and was the first pattern he designed. The pattern is lovely, described as "Renaissance Revival, with modified Greek double scroll with shell like antefix and honeysuckle blossom" in the Tiffany Flatware book. It was produced between 1869 and 1917. In 1956 this pattern was re-introduced as the Beekman pattern, which does not have the intriguing scrolls that protrude halfway up the stems. Each piece has a monogram JHC, and each is clearly hallmarked "C Tiffany & Co, Sterling, PAT 1889". They are of exceptional quality, as you would expect from Tiffany, and are all a good weight. The Tiffany Silver Flatware book describes this pattern as "rare, seldom seen" (page 171). This pattern was the first flatware pattern that Tiffany...
Unusual and beautiful Fiddle pattern serving spoon and fork. The spoon bowl is an unusual oval shape. Forks of this size are rare, serving sets even more so. Beautiful stags head crest and clear hallmarks.
An early Georgian silver rat-tail Hanoverian tablespoon, with a pronounced rib on the front of the stem, and oval bowl, as is usual for early Hanoverians. The spoon also has two lovely family crests (correctly engraved on the back of the stem), the first is a snake twisting around a pillar, the second a raised fist holding wheatsheaves, with crosses in the background. The rat-tail pattern first appeared in 1710, the rat-tail disappeared from Hanoverians in 1730. The spoon also has very clear bottom marked hallmarks, including a very clear makers mark (RO under stags head) for Nathaniel Roe. This is a rare mark, it is not recorded in Jackson, and the mark in Grimwade (mark 2396) was a poor impression, largely conjectural, and was undated by Grimwade. The mark is recorded by Wyler (pg 148).
Roe was a largeworker who worked in London between 1710 and 1717, when his newly born son died aged 4 days. He then left London for Norwich, where he continued work as a silversmith. He became Sherriff of Norwich in 1737.
Fiddle pattern Cape teaspoon, with clear hallmarks (Welz no 27) including initials, 2 ladder device in ball, 2 shell device.
Cape Silver teaspoon in the Old English pattern, with very clear hallmarks, IC and shell. Combrink worked from Dorp Street.
A rare pair of Scottish Provincial gravy (or serving or basting) spoons in the Oar pattern, which is a scarce variant of Fiddle pattern (Fiddle without shoulders), only found in Scotland (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg. 111). Both spoons are engraved in contempory style with the letter "M", and are in such lovely condition that they do not appear to have been used (note the lovely spoon tips). Both have clear Scottish Provincial hallmarks, makers mark RK struck 3 times, and the Perth double headed eagle town mark struck twice.
Robert Keay worked in Perth between 1791 and 1825, from the style of these spoons they were made between 1800 and 1805, when Oar pattern was popular in Scotland. A very similar gravy spoon, also by Robert Keay of Perth, is depicted in Ian Pickford's Silver Flatware book, figure 145, pg. 111.
A rare Cape silver Basting (or Serving) spoon in the Old English pattern, this is a good quality spoon suited for use as a serving spoon. The spoon has a colonial feel, it has an unusual rectangular shaped drop, so was probably made before 1820 when English silversmiths arrived in the Cape and influenced styles. The spoon is quite plain, no crests or initials, but it is engraved "IV" on the back of the stem. This engraving is original and quite crude (typically colonial), perhaps done by the owner himself, possibly indicating it was once part of a set. The hallmarks are excellent, makers mark IC between 2 devices (flowers?), mark 27 in "Cape Silver" by Welz. Johan Combrink was a prolific and well regarded Cape silversmith, he worked between 1814 and 1853, and was based in Dorp street.
A lovely early Cape tablespoon in the Hanoverian pattern, with turn-up end. This spoon only has the makers hallmark, which is very worn but still faintly visible. Lotter generally only struck his makers mark, as is the case on this spoon. Lotter, who was part of a large family of silversmiths working in the Cape, was an extremely competent silversmith who made the Cape Town Lutheran Church chalice to match one made in Amsterdam in 1765.
A set of 4 Continental (probably German or Dutch) silver teaspoons with realistically modeled Boer soldier finial, complete with beard, hat, bandolier and rifle. The spoons are 835 grade silver. The Boer finial rests on a plinth, above a 4 sided and twisted stem with traditional mask head above the join to the bowl. The spoons also have a short rat-tail. All 4 spoons are hallmarked "835" and makers mark "B2V".
A set of 3 Cape silver tablespoons by Johannes Combrink, who worked in Cape Town between 1814 and 1853. These spoons are excellent quality and robust, well suited for use. The spoons resemble the Old English pattern, but are Continental in design, with a V shaped drop, strong lip on tip and flattening to the top half of the handles. Given the Continental style of these spoons, which is confined to early Cape flatware, we can assume they were made early in Combrink's career, probably between 1814 (when Combrink started producing silver) and 1820, when the English 1820 settlers arrived in the Cape, bringing with them English styles. Each spoon has a small identification nick on the back at the top of the handle (1-2 mm). The makers mark IC (Welz mark 32) is clearly struck on all 3 spoons.
An interesting Roman reproduction Scottish silver tea strainer, with a stylised dolphin handle. The bowl is circular, with holes in radiating circles, and has a substantial rim. The handle is lovely, the dolphin tail is cleverly curved, to allow it to loop over a finger whilst the thumb holds the tail in place. The dolphin has a large mouth, 3 fins around the head, and the body is decorated with dots. The strainer is very good quality, and is a pleasure to use. The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark B&S in serrated punch, Scottish thistle, Edinburgh castle and date letter U. An additional hallmark is present, a stylised "S" in a diamond punch. Brook and Son were the leading Scottish silversmiths in the early 20th century, they operated between 1891 and 1939 from 87 George Street (Hamilton and Inches today). This strainer is a reproduction of a Roman spoon that was part of the Traprain Law treasure hoard, which was discovered by George Pringle at Traprain Law, East Lothian, in 1919. The hoard dates from 40...
Set of Russian silver Fiddle pattern tablespoons, with very clear hallmarks on all 6 spoons. These are very good gauge, suitable for everyday use. The makers name is in cyrillic, our best translation is A. Schenker or Shenker. The assaymaster is Nicholai Stradomsky (HC in cyrillic, NS in English), who worked in Moscow and Vilnius (Geoffrey Watts, Russian Silversmiths' Hallmarks, pg 84).
A lovely Edwardian Christening present, made by the specialist spoonmaker Francis Higgins. It is a replica rattail trefid spoon with ribbed rattail, very distinct notches, and very clear hallmarks. The spoon has no engraving, so would be suitable to be engraved. The spoon is excellent quality, and is a joy to hold. Replicas of 17th century silver items were popular during Edwardian times, the replicas are usually very good quality, as is this trefid spoon. Francis Higgins carried a hammer with him in the workshop to destroy any items not up to his standards (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths). He also commented "it should last more than a lifetime, boy" - he would have been proud of this spoon. This spoon is very similar to one we have already sold (S 1327), which was made 4 years earlier, also by Higgins.
A beautiful Tiffany sterling silver Berry spoon, in the Flemish pattern, with notched scroll end finial, and rat-tail. The spoon is a lovely shape, with the bowl at right angles to the stem. The shape of the spoon is also described as a casserole spoon, indeed it is suitable as a serving spoon. It is a good weight and lovely quality, and is still in its original felt bag, marked "Tiffany & Co, Paris, New York, London". The hallmarks are very clear, "Tiffany & Co Sterling PAT 1011M". The M date stamp indicates a date between 1907 and 1947, when John C. Moore II was president. The Flemish pattern was issued in 1911, hence we can date the spoon to between 1911 and 1947.
A magnificent set of 13 gilded silver Italian apostle spoons, featuring the 12 apostles on the smaller spoons and the "Master" on the larger spoon - all in their original box. They are extremely good quality and well made, the cast finials have very fine detail. The stems are twisted with a beaded design, and a winged female angel joins the bowls to the stems. Each apostle is named on the back of the finial in Italian - (S. Pilip, Giag, Paol, Luca, Mat, Bart, Piet, And, Tom, Mar, Giov, Sim). The spoon bowls are all made of silver coins (Piastra's) from the Papal States (which included most of central Italy in the 18th century) dated between 1676 and 1802. The coins have the Papal Arms for the following Popes: Innocento XI (1676-1689), Alessandro XIII (1689-1691), Innocento XII (1691-1700), Clement XI (1700-1721), Clement XII (1730-1740), Clement XIV (1769-1774), Pius VI (1775-1799) and Pius VII (1800-1823). Two of the coins, dated 1691, are "Sede Vacante" - translated "The Seat is Empty", meaning they were m...
A lovely set of Art Deco silver grapefruit spoons, with unusual and decorative pierced terminals. The spoons are good quality and a pleasing weight, a pleasure to use on a grapefruit. The piercing is robust, these spoons are very suitable for use. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons. The spoons also have a registration mark, RD 787919, which indicates the design was registered and protected by the patent office. Cooper Brothers worked between 1900 and 1979.
A very rare Cape silver tablespoon in the Old English pattern, by a very rare maker whose work is seldom seen. The makers mark FLH is excellent, very well struck, this is accompanied by an anchor mark in a circular punch (mark 51 in Cape Silver by Welz). Herman (or Hermann) was born in the Cape in 1778, he worked between 1810 and 1811 from 38 Long Street. He was regarded as "one of the finest of all Cape silversmiths" by David Heller, in his book History of Cape Silver. He made a very fine covered sugar bowl, which is depicted on pg 101 of Cape Silver by Stephan Welz.
A Scottish provincial silver basting (or gravy) spoon in the Fiddle pattern, made by Alexander Cameron in Dundee, with Edinburgh hallmarks for 1824. The spoon is good quality and has a good feel, it is suitable for use as a serving spoon. The hallmarks are excellent, and include the "CAM over ERON" and "DUN over DEE" marks used by Cameron, along with very clear Edinburgh marks. Cameron was apprenticed to Robert Keay of Perth, and worked between 1818 and 1849. Following the re-imposition of duties in Great Britian in 1784, a duty mark had to be struck on silver, which in Scotland could only be done in Edinburgh. This meant that the provincial silversmiths had to submit their silver to Edinburgh - often a long arduous journey, so few did. By the 1820's when this spoon was made, provincial silversmiths such as Cameron submitted a portion of their silver to Edinburgh, to satisfy the authorities.
A rare Scottish Provincial pointed end tablespoon, with excellent hallmarks by a scarce maker. The spoon has script initial M (contempory) above the number 8, we assume its position in its original set. The spoon has some overall wear, but is a good weight, still a lovely spoon. Pointed end spoons are uniquely Scottish, the style was never adopted in England.
The hallmarks are well struck and very clear, makers mark S.L struck twice, with the Dundee pot of lilies and date letter m. Similar makers can be seen on lot 190, Woolley & Wallis sale of a private collection of Scottish Provincial Flatware, January 2009.
Lovely scottish provincial tablespoon with characteristic celtic point, with the silversmiths surname incised. Initial A. The hallmarks include the crowned shield and "flaming heart" used by Douglas.
Beautiful ladle by the famed maker Alwyn Carr, one of the leading silversmiths of the Arts and Crafts period. It dates from the period after the dissolution of his partnership with Omar Ramsden, which occurred in 1918 when Carr returned from the Great War as a wounded Captain. The ladle is double lipped, spot hammered, has a rattail and a heart shaped terminal. The hallmarks are very clear. Carr died in 1940.
A Scottish provincial antique silver toddy ladle, in the Fiddle pattern, engraved with script initials TIR. The bowl is quite wide (5.0 cm) and oval in shape. The hallmarks are very clear and well struck, makers mark R&S and the A,B and D of Aberdeen struck separately. Middleton Rettie and Sons worked in Aberdeen between 1824 and 1891, they are known for their very fine silver.
A pair of magnificent Bacchanalian pattern fruit serving spoons. This is one of the rarest English silver flatware patterns, it was originally produced by Paul Storr. The spoons shows Bacchus, the Roman God of wine, riding a lion, whilst a topless Diana looks on, with another figure asleep at her feet. The back of the spoons are also beautifully decorated, with a masque over a theatre curtain, and tilted amphora of wine. Bunches of grapes and vine leaves complete the decoration. The spoons are extremely good quality, quite heavy to hold, sturdy enough to use as a serving spoon, and the hallmarks are clear on both spoons.
Bacchanalian pattern is shown in "Silver Flatware" by Pickford (pg. 127), where an identical dessert service made by Wakely and Wheeler is depicted. The pattern was originally designed by Thomas Stothard, the famous painter and designer, for Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, the Royal silversmiths, in 1812, the first service was used by King George III. The other rare patterns in the same series in...
An early James II silver trefid spoon, by one of the "First Fifteen" London spoonmakers (1580-1697), as identified by Tim Kent in his book "London Silver Spoonmakers". The trefid spoon has a ribbed rat-tail, and is prick engraved "M.P over C.G", indicating this spoon celebrated a marriage. The engraving is delightful, and is contemporary. The spoon is in lovely condition, well preserved given it's age. The makers mark is superb, very clearly struck and perfectly preserved, it could not be better - easily as good as the example illustrated by Kent (pg 36), taken from the original copper plate preserved by the Goldsmiths Hall. This is Thomas Allens' pre 1697 mark. It has 3 pellets above, and a rose below, all clearly visible. The other hallmarks are visible but worn, the crowned leopards head for London, and date letter h for 1685. The lion passant is just visible, but very worn. Thomas Allen was apprenticed to John King (another of the First Fifteen) in 1668, and freed in 1675 (Grimwade pg 422). He was a speci...
An early antique silver trefid spoon, preserved in excellent condition, and with good hallmarks. The spoon is the traditional trefid shape (also called Pied de Biche, as the style originated in France), and has a lovely reeded rat-tail, which is quite rare. The spoon is engraved with contemporary initials "K * M", engraved correctly on the back of the spoon. The spoon is good quality, and has a lovely feel. The hallmarks include makers mark DO in diamond shaped punch with Fleur de Lys above and below. This mark belongs to Dorothy Grant (Grimwade 3591, Jackson pg 136, under 1680). Dorothy Grant was the widow of William Grant, she worked until 1712, both her sons Benjamin and William apprenticed under her (Grimwade pg 527). Other marks include crowned leopards head (worn), lion passant and date letter O for 1691, which is very clear. Note: We had originally ascribed this mark to John Downes (Jackson, pg 155, Wyler, pg 145, Grimwade pg 46), but this mark is clearly in a diamond rather than circular punch used by...
A provincial silver trefid spoon, made in Exeter in 1714. The spoon has an oval bowl, rat-tail with ribs, a flat stem and the traditionally shaped end with 2 clefts, with a slight upturn. The spoon is engraved "MH 1707" on the back of the spoon, the MH are co-joined, and the engraving is contemporary. During this period spoons were placed on the table bowl down, hence the engraving on the back. The spoon is quite light, as is often the case with provincial spoons, but in very good condition, given its age. The spoon has 5 hallmarks, makers mark MA co-joined, 3 turreted castle (Exeter town mark), Brittania (very worn), lions head erased (used in Exeter between 1701 and 1720 to denote Britannia silver, which is higher grade than Sterling), and date letter O in shield for 1714. The makers mark appears to be MA co-joined, but could also be read the other way around (?W). We now believe this to be the mark of John Manley I of Dartmouth, who entered his mark in Exeter in 1705 (See mark 86, West Country Spoons and t...
An interesting silver spoon, commemorating the 7th Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge Own Middlesex Regiment. The spoon has the regimental badge, a Roman soldier with shield and sword, surrounded by the motto "Pro Rege Patria et Laribus", translated "For King, Home and Country". A laurel wreath surrounds this, and the Royal crown sits on top. The spoon also carries the motto "South Africa 1900", signifying battle honours won during the Boer War, and "1798", which commemorates the Hampstead Volunteers of 1798, the founders of the Regiment. The regiment is known as the "Die Hards", a nickname earned during the Peninsula wars at Albuera in 1811. During the Boer War they were involved in the Relief of Ladysmith, and the attack on Spioenkop. The 7th Battalion were formed in 1907, it was a volunteer Battalion, and also a "special reserve" Battalion, whose duty was supplying drafts to the 4 front line Battalions in time of need. In 1911 (the year the spoon was made, so we assume it commemorates this event), the 7th be...
A lovely set of classic deco coffee spoons, in original box. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked.
A very rare and well preserved slip top spoon, of good gauge, by one of the "First Fifteen" London spoonmakers as identified by Tim Kent (London Silver Spoonmakers, 1500-1697). The slip top is engraved "BB, Feb 13, 1632", in a very attractive fashion, so probably was a Christening present. The spoon has a curved fig shaped bowl, and tapered hexagonal stem, ending in the slipped end. The bowl is hallmarked with crowned leopards head, the base of the stem with makers mark "D enclosing C" for Daniel Cary, alongside a well struck lion passant, and date letter O for 1631, struck at the end of the stem, as is usual during this period. The stem is attached to the bowl with a very stubby and rough rat tail, also usual for the period. This is a lovely spoon, and has a very good feel about it, I am tempted to use it (but have resisted!). A very similar spoon to this by Daniel Cary was sold in the Alexander James Collection of Early English Spoons, by Phillips in 1979. Lot 36 (pg 55), shows a slip top spoon made by Dani...
A magnificent Cape silver gravy (also called basting or serving) spoon, in the Kings pattern, double struck with diamond heel. It has a lovely weight and is very good quality, this is one of the most substantial Cape silver spoons we have seen, and is suitable for regular use - in fact a spoon anyone would enjoy using. The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark LT for Lawrence Twentyman, and pseudo English hallmarks (leopards head, duty mark, date letter a and lion) - Welz mark 135, but in a different order. Twentyman was the most prolific of all Cape silversmiths, he had the first shop on Heerengracht (now Adderley Street) with a shop window. He worked between 1818 and 1837.
Cape Fiddle pattern saltspoon complete with makers mark and pseudo english hallmarks (clearly visible), gilded bowl and engraved monogram TTA. The spoon is slightly longer than others we have seen. Townsend was a leading Cape silversmith, who had a shop on Heerengracht in Cape Town, and is regarded as one of the finest and most versatile of Cape silversmiths by Heller.
A magnificent dessert sized spoon with the Goddess Nike standing on a pedestal with the initials "JERC", in script initials. Nike is the Greek winged Goddess of victory, strength and speed, she appears on the back of every Olympic medal. The detail of the Nike casting is excellent, this is a spoon of exceptional quality, as you would expect from Garrard. The hallmarks are very clear.
The firm of R&S Garrard & Co (Garrard's), which began life in 1722 and still exists today, is famed for it's exceptional silver of very good quality. Garrard's were Crown Jewellers for much of their history, they lost the Royal warrant in 2007.
Re the script initials, we assume they belong to a sports club, perhaps a rowing or rugby club? - we would welcome opinion's or corrections.
A delightful silver Christening present, consisting of a boxed set containing child's spoon and pusher, decorated with a scene from the "This little piggy" nursery rhyme. The spoon bowl shows a pig complete with straw hat, in a donkey drawn cart, with trees, hills and birds in the background, along with inscription "This little pig went to market". The detail is lovely, as can be seen in the photos. Both handles are decorated with the same flower and scroll pattern. The hallmarks on both are very clear, and include a registration number "Rd No 348578", indicating the design was registered to prevent copying by other firms. Levi & Salaman was established in 1870, and was merged into Barker Brothers in 1921 (Culme, Directory Gold and Silversmiths). They were highly regarded, particularly for good quality souvenir spoons. An interesting story is that one of their spoons saved a soldiers life in WWI when it deflected a bullet, this spoon was viewed by the Queen at the British Industries Fair in 1915 (Culme).
A beautiful and very good quality antique silver spoon, commemorating the Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne) of Queen Victoria in 1897. The spoon has the Royal Coat of Arms and motto "Dieu et Mon Droit", a medallion bust of Queen Victoria, a Scottish thistle, VR for "Victoria Reigns", and the dates 1837-1897. The spoon is a pleasing weight and quality, this would have been an expensive souvenir in its day. The hallmarks are good, and include makers mark WG over JL, for William Gibson and John Langman. Gibson & Langman, originally from Belfast, Ireland, founded the famous Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd in 1880, which was amalgamated into Garrards in 1952. They used the WG/JL mark until 1898, when they switched to the more familiar G&S Co Ltd mark. John Langman equipped and maintained the Langman field hospital during the Boer War, he was created Baronet in 1906. A matching silver fork to this spoon was sold as Lot 38 in the postal auction of the Silver spoon club of Great Britain, March 2012, The Finia...
A very interesting silver gilt cast spoon, with a well modelled gentleman in 18th century period dress, complete with cane and hat. The figure stands on a pedestal on twisted stem which changes texture (almost bark like) as it joins the spoon bowl. The spoon is in it's original box, marked "By Appointment A. Stephen & Co, Manufacturing Jewellers, Calcutta", so this spoon is well travelled. The hallmarks are very clear, and include registration number "RD 179159", showing the design was protected at the patent office. The spoon was probably designed as a Christening present for a wealthy family We welcome opinions on the origin of the figure.
A lovely pair of rat tail Hanoverian tablespoons, with an armorial engraved on the back of each spoon. The spoons are very pleasing quality and weight, and in excellent condition. They were made in 1766 by John Lampfert, who worked between 1748 and 1769, he was predominantly a spoonmaker (Grimwade, London Goldsmiths, pg 574). The spoons are "out of period", their style is 1710-1730, so were probably made to match an existing set. The hallmarks are bottom marked, and are in excellent condition.The arms are those of the family of Ridge impaling those of the family of Brooke with the husband dexter (right), Ridge and the wife sinister (left), Brooke. We have commissioned a heraldic report (which accompanies these spoons), it identifies George Ridge and Elizabeth Brooke of Portsmouth, who were married in 1735. The Ridge family estate was Kilmeston Manor, Hampshire. Their son Captain William Ridge was Aide-du Camp to Lord Halifax, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He also served in America in the 60th Royal American Reg...
A rare and lovely early Scottish Provincial Hanoverian tablespoon, with excellent marks. This is a very fine spoon, good weight and condition, a pleasure to hold. The spoon has a long drop, and quite a wide end with an oval shaped bowl. The spoon is initialled with script letter K, this is contemporary, and is engraved on the back of the spoon. The spoon has four very clear hallmarks, makers mark IS struck twice in a distinctive shaped punch, with two indentations on each side of the punch. The third hallmark is the Dundee "Pot of Lilies" town mark, the shape of each lily clearly visible. The forth mark is a letter "M" with unusual shape, occasionally used by John Steven (Turner, Directory of Scottish Provincial Silversmiths, pg 62, and Jackson, pg 600). A similar spoon by John Steven, without "M" mark, was sold as Lot 192 of "Private Collection of Scottish Provincial Flatware, Woolley & Wallis, January 2009, pg 34". John Steven was a very fine silversmith, we have just seen a pair of cast candlesticks...
A Chinese export silver tablespoon by Sunshing, with excellent hallmarks, they could not be better. The hallmarks include makers mark SS, both of the S's are very distinctive with a t junction at the end of the letter. Hallmarks also include English pseudo marks including lion passant (with fringes on the head), crowned leopard's head townmark, date letter C and duty mark.
A highly unusual Chinese Export silver tablespoon in the Fiddle pattern, complete with "pseudo English" hallmarks, used by Linchong of Canton, alongside Indian Colonial silver hallmarks, used by R.S. of Calcutta. The hallmarks are clear, and include the pseudo lion passant, crowned leopards head, date letter L and duty mark as used by Linchong of Canton, who made silver in the Georgian style. The Indian Colonial marks include makers mark RS (unidentified) and a tallymark (No. 18, Indian Colonial Silver, Wilkinson), the tallymark is thought to identify the journeyman who completed the piece. One possible scenario is that the spoon was produced in Canton, and imported into Calcutta, India by RS, who was possibly a retailer only. We would be interested in hearing other opinions on this unusual spoon. This very spoon and it's hallmarks is depicted in the book "Indian Colonial Silver" by Wynyard Wilkinson, page 116, where the author noted the lack of connection of the marks, but did not identify the maker Linchong...
A rare pair of Chinese Export silver Fiddle pattern tablespoons, with a good set of pseudo-English hallmarks. The hallmarks include pseudo sterling lion, pseudo crowned leopard's head, makers mark YS and pseudo Georgian duty mark. One spoon has excellent marks, with good detail, the other spoon marks are still good, but have some wear.
Chinese Export silver is "stylistically Anglo-American, of the late Georgian period, of fine workmanship and exceptionally heavy weight" - (Kernan, China Trade Silver - Checklists for Collectors Nov 1965) - these spoons are no exception. The website www.chineseexportsilver.com also notes that "Yatshing silver is always of a high standard".
A fabulous pair of Cape silver tablespoons in the old English pattern, with a beautifully engraved contemporary family crest, a rabbit or hare jumping over a rock. The spoons are good quality and weight, and are well preserved. Both are struck with makers mark IC for Johannes Combrink, one is very clear, the other is slightly worn. The spoon terminals have a strong turn and rib on the back, and an unusual shaped drop, very colonial in style. We have not identified the family crest (suggestions welcome), perhaps Haas or Haasbroek? This pair are amongst our favourite Cape silver items, they are lovely spoons.
An interesting collection of York silver teaspoons, with well struck and interesting York silver hallmarks. The oldest spoon is Old English pattern, the other 5 are Fiddle pattern. The spoons are as follows:
1. Old English, Robert Cattle & James Barber, 1809, Mark 16, Baggott, pg 89 (An Illustrated Guide to York Hallmarks 1776-1858)
2. Barber, Cattle & North, 1828, mark 21 Baggott, pg 89 - half moon journeymans mark, engraved "Kathleen".
3. Barber, Cattle & North, 1831, mark 23 Baggott, pg 90, engraved initials ED in script, contemporary.
4. Barber & North, 1835, mark 24 Baggott pg 90, defect to corner of punch.
5 & 6). Pair, Barber & North, 1844, mark 25 Baggott pg 90, defect to edge of punch.
As can be seen form the photographs, the marks are well struck and quite varied.
Robert Cattle, originally in partnership with George Cattle, John Hampston and John Prince, took James Barber into partnership in 1808. The partnership was dissolved in 1814. Robert Cattle was Lord Mayor in 1840, he died in 1842 (Mu...
A lovely Queen Anne Dognose (also called wavy end) spoon in Brittania silver. The Dognose was popular during the Queen Anne period, and the transition between the earlier Trefid and later Hanoverian can clearly be seen. This spoon is engraved "KH" on the back of the spoon, which is correct as spoons were placed bowl down on the table at this time. The spoon has a very pronounced rat-tail, and is quite good quality, this spoon has a nice feel. The hallmarks are quite clear but squashed, as is usual for this period, as the stem was shaped after the hallmarks were struck. The hallmarks include Britannia, lions head erased, and date letter O for 1709. The makers mark is partially worn, but enough is present to positively identify Henry Greene (Grimwade 878, Jackson pg 160), with the R, distinctive shaped shield and pellet below. Greene was apprenticed to Thomas Allen (one of the First Fifteen spoonmakers), and freed in 1700. He was one of the London goldsmiths who signed the petition against "necessitous strange...
A Cape silver tablespoon in the Old English pattern, with rare makers mark, which is very well struck. The tablespoon has a long drop, and initials "TA" on the back of the spoon, dating this spoon to the 18th century. The marks include makers mark "IVC" struck twice, either side of a very clear fish hallmark, complete with mouth, eye, fins and scales, this hallmark is very well struck. This is mark 171 in Cape Silver by Welz, who lists it as an unknown makers mark. The fish in Welz is not as clear as this actual hallmark. Welz also depicts the mark as "I:VG", so it must be a different punch - the dots are not present here, but the C could easily be a G. This mark is also depicted by Heller (History of Cape Silver, Vol 1) on page 163, where the fish detail is clearly visible - he attributes this mark to Johann Voigt (?), indicating the attribution had not been proved. Overall an interesting and rare Cape silver mark, extremely clear, this needs further research.
An interesting set of 4 Scottish silver dessert spoons in the Old English pattern, made by a highly regarded silversmith, Patrick Robertson. The spoons are bottom marked, and are engraved with a floral device. The hallmarks are excellent, including makers mark "PR" for Patrick Robertson, which is well struck. Robertson had a long and distinguished career, he worked between 1751 and 1790. He was born in 1729, and was apprenticed to Edward Lothian in 1743. He was Deacon in 1755 and 1765, and was a member of the Royal Company of Archers. He was related to the architect Robert Adam ("Silver Made in Scotland", Dalgleish and Fothringham).
An interesting antique silver spoon, used as a prize in a rifle shooting competition in Natal (now Kwazulu Natal), South Africa. The stem has the cast inscription "For Making Central Bulls Eye", the back of the bowl has an applied plaque, the emblem of the Natal Rifle Association. It contains a seated Boer soldier on a horse, with the motto "Semper Parati" (Always Prepared), and the date 1862, we assume the date the association was formed. The horse and rider are well modelled, as can be seen in the photos. Semper Parati is now the motto of the Boy Scout movement, perhaps Baden Powell encountered it during his time in South Africa during the Boer war.
The spoon was made by the highly regarded Levi & Salaman, and has Birmingham hallmarks for 1905.
This caddy spoon is by Taylor & Perry, who are known for their good quality caddy spoons. The bowl is beautifully engraved with flowers and foliage, the handle with leaves. The cartouche has the initial H, and the hallmarks are very clear. The caddy spoon is Fiddle pattern.
A lovely set of six Art Deco coffee spoons, with unusual pierced design, celtic in appearance. They were retailed by Boodle & Dunthorpe, Goldsmiths of Lord Street, Liverpool, and are still in their original box. Boodle and Dunthorpe (Boodles) was founded in 1798 in Liverpool, and are still in the Lord Street premises in Liverpool. Boodles is a highly respected firm, they made the octagonal silver wedding cake stand for HRH Princess Elizabeth, now Queen. The spoons were made in 1939, just before the outbreak of World War II. The hallmarks on all 6 spoons are perfect.
A modern reproduction of the rare "eagle's wing" caddy spoon, amongst the most collectable and desirable of all caddy spoons. The original versions of this spoon were produced by Joseph Willmore and Matthew Linwood in Birmingham circa 1815. It was also copied by George Unite in Birmingham circa 1865 (see John Norie Collection of Caddyspoons - Woolley & Wallis, 2004). John Norie himself described the eagles wing caddyspoon as "the most revered and sought after of all specimens" in his definitive book on the subject. This is a cast spoon (cast marks can be seen on the base), and is very good quality and gauge, and pleasing to hold. The plumage is textured and the hallmarks are very clear. The eagle's wing caddy spoon is the emblem of the Society of Caddy Spoon Collectors, who recently published the book "The Caddy Spoon in the 20th Century", with the eagles wing featured on the back cover. They note that Thomas Bradbury & Sons reproduced the eagle's wing caddyspoon (page 18) along with other traditional spoons,...
A fabulous set of six Georgian Silver Old English table spoons by Hester Bateman, the most famous of all English female silversmiths. The spoons are bottom marked, and the hallmarks are slightly squashed but clearly visible. The spoons have a double drop. The spoons are excellent quality and are in extremely good condition, this is a lovely set. The spoons also have a interesting family crest, an armoured fist holding a dagger. Hester Bateman took over her husband's business on his death in 1760, and retired in 1790 when her sons, Peter and Jonathan took over the business.
A rare Scottish Provincial silver soup ladle, made in Banff by John Keith. This is a beautiful ladle, long and elegant, it is also very substantial, a pleasure to use. The ladle is Old English, and has a contemporary engraved initial "M". The ladle also has an unusual drop, bowl shaped with a ridge. The hallmarks include makers mark "IK" for John Keith, capital letter "B" (thought to represent Banff), and capital letter "M" (used by Keith , possibly to represent a date letter). The hallmarks are clearly legible, but the bottom left of both the "B" and "M" mark is not visible, probably as a result of not being well struck. We have dated this ladle to circa 1790, so early on in Keiths career.
A Scottish provincial toddy ladle in the Old English pattern, with circular bowl and a long, elegant, curving handle. The ladle is engraved with script initials AP, which are contemporary. The hallmarks include makers mark DM struck twice, either side of the Dundee town mark, a "Pot of Lilies". The pot of lilies is the arms of the burgh of Dundee (Jackson pg 598), the pot has 2 handles, clearly visible here. The hallmarks are clear, with slight wear to the lilies at the top of the mark. David Manson worked between 1809 and 1818, his work is quite rare.
Plain marrowscoop with a long drop, in lovely condition and with very clear hallmarks. The makers mark is very deeply struck. Schofield, who worked from Temple Bar, was reknowned for his impeccable craftmanship. He worked for the Royal Silversmiths Jeffries, Jones and Gilbert.
A beautiful scoop in excellent condition, with very clear hallmarks. In addition, this scoop has an interesting bundled snake crest, also in excellent condition. This scoop is also slightly larger and heavier than others we have seen.
A Cape silver tablespoon in the Old English pattern, with a very rare Cape silver hallmark. The spoon is good quality and weight, well preserved, and has a colonial V shaped drop. The hallmarks include makers mark WM, and a very rare Cape silver stub mark that is not depicted in Cape Silver by Welz (Welz shows the regular Cape stub mark, used by 5 silversmiths including Moore, with 4 pseudo English marks). This stub mark has the lion passant, a gothic capital A, smiling leopards head and Queen Victoria duty mark, with detailed hair. As can be seen, this is a very different stub from the one usually seen, struck with a different punch (Welz mark 100). This rare stub mark is depicted by Heller (History of Cape Silver) as MM62 (pg 154), the regular Cape stub mark is MM61 (see also our articles section for an article on the Cape stub). The hallmarks are very well struck, this is a perfect example. A third stub mark, including an anchor, is also depicted in Heller (MM63), this same mark is also present in Morrison...
A beautiful pair of Salters Company silver spoons, with the Salters Company coat of arms, and motto "Sal Sapit Omnia" (salt savours all) on a banner wrapped around the stem. The gilded bowls have a traditional shell design, these are very attractive spoons. The spoons are very good quality, are a good weight, and are perfectly preserved in their original box. The box also has the Salters Company coat of arms and motto on the lid, this is also a good quality box. The Salters Company is one of the 12 great livery companies of London, ranked 9th in order of precedence. Their origins were in the salt trade of medieval London, now they are a charitable organisation, focusing on chemistry. The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company was established in 1880 at 112 Regent Street, they amalgamated with Garrards in 1952. As can be seen from the box, they carried the Royal warrant, "By appointment to H.M. the King". The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear.
A very fine Maltese Basting spoon, of good gauge, with an unusually large and deep bowl. The spoon also has a deep lip and point. The hallmarks are clear, being 1855 with a small scratch through it (looks intentional?), the letter R (Maltese mark indicating Roman Fineness, 11 deniers) and the circular makers mark for Geraldo Pace (circular mark with small bird under PACE). A truly lovely spoon. Note - we previously incorrectly attributed this spoon to the Naudi family silversmiths.
A pair of Georgian Scottish silver Celtic Pointed pattern tablespoons, by Alexander Ziegler, who worked in Edinburgh between 1782 and 1802. These are elegant spoons, and although tablespoons are large enough to be used as serving spoons today. Celtic Pointed (or Pointed Old English) is a style used in Scotland and Ireland, not seen in English silver (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 96). The spoons have contemporary engraved initials TB in traditional Scottish style. The hallmarks on both spoons are clear.
An early Cape silver tablespoon, in the Hanoverian pattern (with turned up end). The pip at the top of the stem is very pronounced, sufficient that the spoon can "hang" from a finger!. This spoon also has a very unusual "fat" drop, also with a pronounced pip, we have not seen this feature before. This probably indicates the spoon was made early on in Schmidt's career. The spoon has makers mark DHS for Daniel Heinrich Schmidt, described by Heller (History of Cape Silver) as the Cape's "Greatest Silversmith". This spoon is extremely good quality, it is pleasing to hold. The second mark is the bunch of grapes used by Schmidt.
Schmidt was originally a soldier and sword cutler from Germany, he arrived in the Cape in 1768 with the VOC (Dutch East India Company). He worked until 1811 (Welz, Cape Silver, pg 139).
A rare Exeter silver caddy spoon, made by Henry Samuel Ellis, who was only mentioned in the Exeter records in 1853, silver by him is rare (he died in 1878). The spoon has a vine leaf on the front of the handle, and a gilded fluted shell bowl. This is an unusual design, only used by Ellis in 1853 as far as we know (a few 1853 spoons by Ellis have this design, it is now called the HSE trademark leaf terminal - see www.antiquesilverspoons.co.uk and Bonhams - Knowle lot 121, 19/9/2006). The hallmarks are clear, the HSE makers mark is slightly worn at the top. Henry Samuel Ellis was Mayor of Exeter in 1868, his photograph is courtesy of www.exetermemories.co.uk. Henry Ellis and Son, advertised that their spoons were made with silver from the Combe Martin silver mine Story of the Caddy Spoon, 1775-2015, exhibition catalogue, page 35). Combe Martin is in North Devon, the disused silver mines are now a tourist attraction. Silver from Combe Martin was used for items in the crown jewels, it also financed war expenses o...
A Cape silver tablespoon in the Fiddle pattern, with pseudo English hallmarks. The spoon bowl is long and elegant, and the spoon is good quality and is pleasing to hold. The hallmarks are very clear (Welz mark 148 in Cape silver) and nicely detailed, even hair is visible on the duty mark, and the flag is visible on the castle. The base of the duty mark is cusped, and the makers mark LT is also clear.
A rare Cape silver berry teaspoon, in the Fiddle pattern, with gilded berried bowl and decorated handle. The spoon must be well travelled in it's early life, as the spoon was made in Cape Town circa 1830, and probably "berried" in London in mid to late Victorian times, when the practice of "berrying" was popular (this practice is unknown in Cape silver). Plain Georgian silver spoons were embossed and chased with fruit and foliate scrolls (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 70), and the bowl was gilded to complete the effect.
The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark FW and pseudo English hallmarks (leopards head, date letter a, duty mark and lion passant), these are mark 163 (Cape silver by Welz). These are the same punches used earlier by Twentyman, Waldek took over Twentyman's shop and workshop in 1836.
Plain Cape saltspoon in the Fiddle pattern with gilded bowl, and very clear pseudo English hallmarks and makers mark.
An interesting armorial silver spoon, with armorial of Robert Burns, who is widely regarded as the National Poet of Scotland, also "Scotland's Favourite Son", also voted "Greatest Scot of all Time" (Wikipedia). Burns night is celebrated on 25 January, with haggis on the menu, and the singing of "Auld Lang Syne". The armorial features a seeded holly bush, under shepherds pipe and crook, with a woodlark perched on a sprig of bay tree, and "Wood Notes Wild" from Milton's Allegro. The bottom of the shield has the motto "Better a wee bush than nae bield" (a small bush is better than no shelter at all), which Burns used to seal his letters.
A lovely and unusual set of 6 silver teaspoons, with an embossed stylised Fleur-de-Lis on the front, and picture back Fleur-de-Lis surrounded by a branch on the back of the bowl. They have a slight "Fiddle" at the base of the stem. The spoons are a good gauge, and a pleasure to use. Given they were made in 1918 at the end of WW1, perhaps they were intended to celebrate France returning to peace. John Yeomans Cowlishaw was highly regarded for his fruit and dessert knives, the firm existed from 1862 to 1950. Cowlishaw unfortunately committed suicide in 1895, the business was carried on by his son. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons.
Set of 12 Fiddle pattern dessert spoons and forks, made by Hamilton & Co, the "Garrards of India". All 12 have a crest and set of initials (AD), the crest (which are worn but visible) is a dove with an olive branch in its beak, under the motto "Nil Nisi Fidum" (translated "Nothing but Trust"). All are clearly hallmarked with maker mark, elephant, the capital letter A and a variety of tallymarks.
A set of Edwardian replica Apostle spoons, with gilded Apostles and gilded fig shaped bowls, in original felt and silk lined box. The spoons are quite large, suitable for use as serving spoons. The practise of reproducing earlier styles of silver was common at the turn of the century. These spoons are very fine quality. The Apostles appear to be:
1. The Master (Saviour) with orb and cross.
2. St Peter with key.
3. St James the Greater with pilgrims staff.
4. St Matthew with purse.
We are not sure of the significance of a boxed set of 4 Apostles, perhaps originally a Christening present. Wakely and Wheeler (originally Lias & Son) were manufacturing silversmiths, who supplied many leading dealers in their day. The hallmarks on all 4 spoons are clear.
Lovely set of twisted stem Apostle spoons, with cast silver Apostle finials, complete with nimbus (halo), signifying a saintly head. The spoons are very good quality, the cast Apostles have good detail, unlike the many sets of Apostle spoons mass produced later in the 20th century. The nimbus is engraved with Saint Esprit (Dove of the Holy Ghost), which signifies the descent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostle. The Esprit nimbus is frequently present in early (16th century) Apostle spoons. The hallmarks are clear on all spoons. Thomas Bradbury & Sons was a well known firm, in existance from 1769 to 1943, who mostly exported to the USA.
A rare arts and crafts silver spoon, possibly a jam spoon, made for the iconic Liberty's department store in London. The spoon is very unusual, with a design and decoration we have not seen before. The spoon is hand made, and has a very heavy gauge, this is a lovely spoon to hold and use. The spoon has a "knob" on the stem, which adds to the attractiveness but which also has a practical use in increasing the grip. The engraved decoration is very simple floral design, the circles have been punched in. The small circles, both on the handle and in the bowl, were used to simulate rivets. The hallmarks are very clear, the L&Co makers mark in diamond punch is clear but slightly worn. The spoon also has it's own unique design number, 2339, perhaps some-one with access to the Liberty archives will be able to do further research. It is also interesting to note that this spoon was made early on during the First World War, before production was diverted to the war effort. Liberty used his shop to showcase the work of le...
A commemorative Irish silver caddy spoon, with the Gleninsheen collar handle and rounded square bowl, made to commemorate Ireland's entry into the E.E.C (European Economic Community). The original Gleninsheen collar is a gorget or neck ornament made from a sheet of pure gold, dating back to approximately 700 BC, it was dicovered by a farmer in 1932 in County Clare near the Gleninsheen wedge tombs, it is now in the National Museum. The collar has also featured on Irish stamps, and has been included in the book "The History of Ireland in 100 Objects" (which we can recommend). The caddy spoon also has the Gleninsheen Collar hallmark, which was only used in 1973. All the hallmarks are are well struck and very clear with no wear. An identical spoon was also part of the John Norie collection (lot 7, Part 1 of John Norie Collection of Caddy Spoons, Woolley & Wallis, April 2004). This spoon also features in the Pearson Silver Collection of post war British silver (www.pearsoncollection.com). Note - This spoon was als...
An interesting Roman silver Ligula (or spatula), used for getting cosmetics (or medicinal products) out of long necked jars (balsamaries). The ligula has a rounded shaft with a slight knob on the end, a baluster decoration on the stem (perhaps to improve grip), and a feather or leaf shaped bowl, the 2 sides joined at a 135 degree angle. The bowl also has 3 curved engraved lines, possibly for decoration. The stem is quite rough to the feel (the opposite of smooth and even), it has a number of knocks, small cracks and holes, and discouloured patches, perhaps the result of a long and rough life, but we feel more likely from impurities in the silver when it was made (we welcome opinions, this is certainly not our area of expertise, thanks)
Plain marrowscoop, by specialist spoonmaker Elizabeth Oldfield. This scoop is very dainty, being smaller than later versions. Oldfield was the widow of silversmith Charles Jackson, and had a previous mark as Elizabeth Jackson. She remarried in 1750, when the mark pictured here was registered. The hallmarks are clear, and the original owners initials "WY" are scratched in small letters next to the makers mark.
A magnificent pair of Pierced Vine (also called Chased & Pierced Vine) pattern gilded dessert spoons, these are spectacular spoons. The pattern has interwoven vines, grapes and leaves, and a vacant cartouche on the back for initials or a family crest. The spoons are hand forged, a good weight and superb quality, as you would expect from Vander. The pattern was first produced by Francis Higgins for the Great Exhibition of 1851, and was intended for dessert. The pattern is described as "one of the most extraordinary silver flatware patterns in the world" by MP Levene, London silver dealers who still produce this pattern today. The hallmarks are clear on both spoons.
A rare Cape silver Basting (or serving) spoon, by the Cape's "Greatest Silversmith" Daniel Heinrich Schmidt, as described by Heller in History of Cape Silver. The spoon is Hanoverian in style, with a very pronounced "turn up" end, almost 90 degrees to the spoon handle, a strong pip and a rib on the front of the handle. The spoon also has a double drop, and the stem changes from rounded to flattened. The spoon is a very good guage, with solid bowl and strong tip, very suitable for use. The hallmarks include makers mark HNS (mark 174 and 175 in Welz, Cape Silver) and a bunch of grapes. This was described as an unknown maker by Welz, but it is now accepted that this is the mark of Daniel Schmidt, with some wear and damage to the punch so the D looks more like an H (see Welz marks 108 and 109). The presence of the bunch of grapes, identical to that used by Schmidt, confirms this. The only other Cape silversmith to use a bunch of grapes was Jan Lotter, his bunch is quite distinctly different. Further confirmation ...
Set of 3 gilt spoons (caddy, sugar sifter and jam) with exquisite decoration in the style of the Aesthetic Movement. This movement flourished in the period 1865 - 1885, after the International Exhibition in London led to a an interest in Japanese decorative arts. The decoration consists of abstract patterns of bamboos, birds and butterflies. Original silk lined box, and very clear hallmarks.
Beautiful set of 6 classic Art Deco teaspoons, made by the highly regarded firm of Elkington. The spoons were made early in the Second World War, before production was halted in favour of the war effort. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons.
A rare Dryad Metal Works Arts & Crafts silver jam spoon, made by Collins & Co, the Art metal workers of Dryad Works, Thornton Lane, Leicester, in 1915. The spoon has a stylized Arts & Crafts tree with 7 leaves on a hand hammered background, and also has a rat-tail, the join of stem and bowl is also quite unusual, but has a lovely shape. The spoon is stamped DRYAD with an interesting font (note capital A), alongside the Birmingham hallmarks for 1915 and makers mark for Collins & Co. Dryad, which is a female wood nymph from Greek mythology, was formed in 1906 by Harry Peach and Benjamin Fletcher (head of Leicester School of Arts), it initially produced cane furniture, but branched out to other Arts & Crafts. Dryad Metal Works was established in 1915 when William Pick (of Collins & Co), and a former pupil, joined Harry Peach in partnership. The Collins and Co. mark was used between 1915 and 1919, although it is unlikely much was produced during the Great War of 1914-1918. We believe this spoon is one of the ear...
A very interesting Norwegian silver Liberation spoon, made to commemorate the liberation of Norway from German occupation at the end of the Second World War. The spoon has a stylised well built male in Art Deco style with arms aloft holding a circular shield, with the Norwegian crown on a radiating 4 leaf clover, the figure has broken the chains of oppression which connect with the bowl. The circular bowl is embossed "NORGE 1945, BRUTT BLEV LENKER BAND OG TVANG", translated "Broken were chains, ties and constraints", a line taken from Ibsen's Peer Gynt. The back of the spoon is plain, and the hallmarks are clear - makers mark NM, 830.S (830 grade silver), goblet (makers symbol), letter N and MADE IN NORWAY. This particular spoon was made in two different sizes, this is the larger (and rarer) version, suitable for use as a serving spoon. Thorvald Marthinsen Solvvarefabrikk was based in Tonsberg.
A Canadian silver Fiddle pattern teaspoon, with an unusual gilded spoon bowl (gilded back and front of bowl), possibly for use as an egg spoon. The spoon has 2 interesting family crests, a raised fist holding a dagger and an envelope between 2 feathered wings, these are both very clear. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark "SAVAGE.LYMAN & Co", pseudo Lion Rampant in circular punch, and pseudo duty mark in rectangular punch with canted corners. Joseph Savage and Theodore Lyman operated from Notre Dame Street, Montreal, between 1868 and 1879 when they were declared bankrupt. Their turnover suffered a major decline from $ 300000 to $ 90000 after the British Imperial forces were withdrawn from Montreal in 1870, so they must have catered to English clients. The firm was founded in 1818 by George Savage, who originally arrived in Canada as a soldier with Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Canadian silversmiths 1700-1900, John Langdon, pg 125, a book we highly recommend). Henry Birks, who founded the prestigious...
A rare Cape silver marrow scoop, in the Fiddle pattern, by Willam Moore, who worked in the Cape between 1840 and 1863. The scoop is the traditional design, with 2 differently sized scoops at either end, used for eating bone marrow, a "popular delicacy at the Cape" (Welz, Cape Silver and Silversmiths, pg 76, where a similar fiddle pattern scoop by Moore is depicted, but in much worse condition than this one.) The scoop is in excellent condition, no dents, scratches or repairs, it does not appear to have seen much use. The Cape hallmarks are very clear, and include makers mark WM and the Cape Stub mark (see article in our articles section) of 4 pseudo English hallmarks struck in a stub (Welz mark 101). A very similar Cape silver marrow scoop by Willam Moore, but with makers mark struck the other way, can be seen on the Steppes Hill website (http://www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com/silver-and-porcelain/d/rare-19th-century-cape-silver-marrow-scoop/98455/216995).
An interesting Cape silver tablespoon, that appears more Continental than Cape in style. It is Fiddle pattern, but without the shoulders seen in English Fiddle pattern, and the drop has a wide oval shape, another Continental silver feature. The spoon has a single hallmark, makers mark DC, well struck but by quite a crude, home made punch, with flaws in both letters. This punch is a different one from the one depicted in Welz (Cape Silver, pg 146, mark 21), but has been noted on other Cape Silver, so we are confident it is by Collinet (no other Cape silversmiths have initial DC). Collinet was born in Liege, Belgium, he worked in the Cape between 1810 and 1825. We assume he made this spoon early in his career, certainly before 1820 when a number of English silversmiths arrived in the Cape and dictated the style of silver.
An interesting antique military silver trophy spoon, awarded by the NRA (National Rifle Association) of Britain as a shooting trophy. The spoon has a NRA medallion set into it, with a scroll engraved "NRA" above the English Coat of Arms, complete with motto's "Dieu et Mon Droit" and "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense" above an enamelled badge with 2 running antelope. The spoon is substantial and very good quality, with scrolls surrounding the coat of arms, and a leaf pattern on the stem. The back of the spoon is engraved "Emma Thresh Trophy 1921". The Emma Thresh Trophy belongs to the Natal Carbineers, South Africa's senior regiment. The trophy itself is 16 kilograms of silver, and was donated in 1903 by Emma Thresh, as the shooting trophy for Colonial Forces. The spoon also has a registration number, RD444590, which appears twice on the spoon.
A rare Cape silver Kings pattern (with diamond point} dessert spoon, by Fredrik Waldek. The spoon has original engraved initials HMC, and is very good quality and gauge, as is usual for Cape Kings pattern silver, very suitable for use. The hallmarks include makers mark FW with the Cape Stub mark (see article in our articles section) of 4 pseudo English hallmarks struck in a stub (Welz mark 165). Fredrik Waldek was also a chronometer, clock maker and jeweller. Heller (History of Cape Silver) commended Waldek for "excellent workmanship", this spoon is no exception. Only Waldek and Twentyman produced Kings pattern in the Cape.
A pair of Cape silver teaspoons in the Fiddle pattern, with excellent hallmarks. The spoons also have a very faint and crudely scratched owners initial S on the back above the hallmarks, barely visible. The individually struck hallmarks include makers mark JT for John Townsend, pseudo duty mark, pseudo date letter a, pseudo leopards head town mark and pseudo date letter J (Welz mark 122, but struck in a different order). John Townsend (1800-1875) was an interesting character, descibed by Heller as one of the top 5 Cape silversmiths. He arrived in the Cape in 1821 on the ship Duke of Marlboro, and was involved in a number of businesses, including a hotel and auctioneering business, in addition to being goldsmith, silversmith, jeweller and watchmaker. He was embroiled in a number of court cases, mostly due to bad debt, in 1849 he stated "insufficient means to support his 10 children". He moved to Okiep in Namaqualand in 1852 as Manager of Spektakel Copper Mine, but was insolvent by 1868. He died in 1875, and is...
A good set of early Old English tablespoons, with narrow elegant handles characteristic of the earlier Old English pattern. These spoons also have the initial B, and very clear hallmarks. These spoons all have the rare incuse duty mark (George III looking left), which was only in use for 18 months. As can be seen from the photographs, these marks are well struck and remain crisp, with no wear. George Smith was a prolific spoonmaker, this period predates his partnership with William Fearn (1786), the firm later became Eley and Fearn.
A set of 13 sterling silver Apostle spoons, as follows: The Master, St. Peter, St. John, St. Matthew, St. Andrew, St. Philip, St. Jude, St. James the Greater, St. James the Less, St. Matthias, St. Simon, St. Thomas, and St. Bartholomew. The Apostles are well modeled, with lovely detail, as can be seen from the photographs. For example, St. Peter has keys, St. Simon a saw, St Andrew a cross, St. Jude an axe, and St. James a staff and bible. The spoons are from a set (no 97), issued by The Heritage Collection in 1978, limited to 1000 sets. The hallmarks are clear, and include maker mark CM (Cape Mint, part of the Pagliari Group), STG for Sterling silver, antelope head for South Africa, and date letter E for 1978. All the spoons have the Apostle's name engraved on the stem, and the set number 97. They come complete with original signed certificate. The original solid wooden box is also available, this is large and heavy (1.5 kilograms), so will require extra postage if required. Note - We now have another set a...
Unusual set of 6 Arts and Crafts coffee spoons, made by Liberty, each set with different semi precious stones - malachite, amethyst, sodalite, turquoise, garnet and a green stone we cannot identify. The spoons are still in their original box, showing they were retailed by Mappin and Webb, Regent St, London. The spoons were made the year after Liberty closed their Cymric business (1901 - 1926), which was a partnership with William Haseler. The hallmarks are very clear on all spoons.
A Charles I silver seal top communion spoon, which has holes in the bowl for straining communion wine. The seal top has the original initials "C over A=L", which is quite crudely engraved. The baluster seal top has traces of gilding, and is attached with a V-shaped joint, as is usual with London spoons. The hexagonal stem is tapered, joined to the bowl with a small rat tail. The fig shaped bowl is quite deep, and has been punched with holes in 3 concentric circles. The bowl is struck with the crowned leopard's head, the crown is clear, but the face is worn. The 3 hallmarks on the stem are clear, and include sterling lion, date letter B for 1639 and maker's mark D enclosing C for Daniel Cary. Cary was a prolific spoon maker. He worked between 1604 and 1639, he died in 1641. Cary is one of the "First Fifteen London spoon makers 1580 - 1697" As identified by Tim Kent in his book "London Silver Spoonmakers", which we highly recommend. Steven Venables, another notes spoon maker, was one of Cary's appren...
A rare Cape silver salt spoon, in the Fiddle pattern, struck twice with a makers mark not depicted in any of the Cape silver reference books (although Ince is recorded in both Morrison and Welz). The spoon is struck twice with makers mark INCE, which is very distinct. The spoon is quite crudely made, slightly out of shape, it appears hand made in primitive conditions, it has a strong Colonial feel. The makers mark INCE is recorded by Turner as unascribed Scottish Provincial (Directory of Scottish Provincial Silversmiths, pg 84). It was also recorded as "unascribed Scottish" by Jackson (2nd edition, pg 557, on a tablespoon circa 1770, owned by The Marquess of Breadalbane) - this had been corrected by the third edition. We believe that the possible Scottish attribution is incorrect, and should be corrected to Cape.
A number of other Cape silver items made by Joseph Ince are known, including 3 items in the Mullne collection, now in a museum in Pretoria, all struck twice with INCE. In addition, a South Africa...
A rare Scottish provincial soup ladle, made by John Heron in Greenock. The ladle is the attractive Celtic Pointed pattern (Old English pointed, Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 96), which was only made in Scotland and Ireland. The ladle has original engraved initial E, in traditional Scottish style. This is a large, substantial and heavy ladle, with a generous circular bowl, a pleasure to use. The hallmarks are excellent, very clear, just a portion on the right of the sailing ship not visible, it was not well struck on that side. The hallmarks include makers mark JH, anchor, 3 masted sailing ship complete with sails, rigging and flying pennants, initial C and oak tree (Turner, Directory of Scottish Provincial Silversmiths, pg 68, and Jackson pg 605. The anchor and sailing ship relate to Greenock's history as an important port and shipbuilding centre, the oak tree refers to the town's original name (Green Oak).
A very interesting and beautiful German silver spoon made by J. F. Nicolassen in Hamburg, Germany, circa 1820. The spoon is well made and has lovely decoration, it has a deep fig shaped bowl, connected to the stem with a rat-tail. The handle is most unusual, with irregular scrolls finely engraved with a leaf pattern, with a tight scroll at both ends. This has been termed the auricular style (resembling ear lobe or conch shell) or lobate style, it originated from German Mannerism in the early 17th century, later adopted by the famous van Vianen Dutch silversmiths (Newman, Illustrated Dictionary of Silverware, pg 28, a book we highly recommend). This style was adopted by a few 17th century German and Dutch silver spoonmakers, but these spoons are rare today (see S 1181, Dutch silver Memorial spoon and fork set, for a similar example). This spoon is a 19th century replica of this earlier style, but still we believe a rare item, we cannot recall seeing similar examples. The hallmarks are very clear, and include t...
A rare pair of Cape Silver lemoen lepels (orange spoons), with an interesting provenance, they featured in the book Cape Silver and Silversmiths by Stephan Welz, pg 93. The spoons are the traditional lemoen lepel shape, with narrow, pointed boat shaped bowl, and triangular terminal, and Cape prick engraving. The spoons have a very elegant shape, the bowls deep and curved, the drop is distinctly v shaped, they have a lovely feel in the hand. Both spoons are clearly hallmarked with makers mark IL in rectangular punch for Jan Lotter, and also are punched with initials HB, we assume the original owner. Welz describes orange spoons as"probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). Jan Lotter, who died young after a short career (1813-1817), was part of the Lotter family of Cape silversmiths, he ma...
A rare pair of Cape silver teaspoons in the Fiddle pattern, with excellent hallmarks. They include the rare Masonic "Square and Compasses" symbol, the single most identifiable symbol in Freemasonry. This hallmark is very well struck on both spoons. The other hallmarks include makers mark TT for Thomas Lock Townsend (struck twice), and pseudo Georgian duty mark (Kings head) - see Welz, Cape Silver, mark 126. Thomas Lock Townsend arrived in the Cape in 1815, the first of the English silversmiths to arrive. He was followed in 1819 by his half brother John Townsend, who joined him in a brief partnership between 1824 and 1825. Thomas Lock Townsend found business difficult in the Cape, he was declared insolvent in 1819, and when he died in 1849 left insufficient estate to cover his funeral costs. Besides being registered as Goldsmith and Jeweller, he practised as mechanical dentist, lodging house keeper, and had an equipment store and fitting out warehouse (Welz, pg 141)
We are selling these 2 spoons individually...
An early Cape silver Hanoverian pattern soup ladle, by Daniel Heinrich Schmidt, described as the greatest of Cape silversmiths by David Heller (History of Cape Silver). The ladle is a very pleasing gauge, very heavy to hold, and has a long drop. It also has the central Hanoverian rib on the front, and a strong turn up. The ladle is hallmarked with makers mark DHS, which is clear, but struck by a worn punch (mark 174 in Welz, described as unknown by Welz, but now known to be Schmidt's mark). Schmidt had a long career (1768-1811), his makers mark punch must have become worn over time. The second hallmark is larger and circular, but worn, probably the bunch of grapes hallmark often used by Schmidt. the third mark nearby does not appear to be a hallmark, but an imperfection in the silver.
A Chinese Export silver tablespoon, in the Fiddle and Thread pattern, with pseudo hallmarks. The spoon is lovely quality, quite heavy at 88 grammes, a pleasure to hold. It has no initials or crest, and no sign of them being removed. The hallmarks are clear, and include pseudo sterling lion, crowned leopards head (with a large grin, which gives it away), date letter L used by Linchong, and pseudo Georgian duty mark. Linchong worked from New China Street, Canton, between 1800 and 1850
A Chinese Export (or China Trade silver) silver tablespoon, with excellent pseudo hallmarks. The spoon is Fiddle pattern, and has an attractive and well engraved family crest, a Lion's head erased, which is contemporary. The hallmarks include pseudo sterling lion, pseudo crowned leopard's head, date letter "C', and pseudo Georgian duty mark. We have tentatively ascribed these marks to Cutshing, we would welcome other opinions. These marks are typical of the pseudo English marks deliberately created by Chinese silversmiths, for the export market. Cutshing are "widely recognised as producing some of the finest silver from the early China Trade period (1785-1840)" - www.chinese-export-silver.com, article on Cutshing.
A set of 5 Cape Silver tablespoons in the Fiddle pattern, with initials GHJ which are clearly engraved. The spoons have a chamfered edge (very Continental in style), and all 5 spoons have clear hallmarks (Welz mark 135). The marks include crowned leopards head, date letter a, duty mark and lion passant.
A rare Cape Silver lemoen lepel (orange spoon) and matching konfyt fork (preserve), we have not encountered a matching set before, none are recorded in the Cape silver reference books. The spoon is the traditional elegant lemoen lepel shape, with narrow, pointed boat shaped bowl, v shaped drop, and triangular terminal. The matching fork has 4 tines, both feature traditional Cape prick engraving with a 4 petalled flower. Both are clearly hallmarked with makers mark IC in rectangular punch with canted corners for Johannes Combrink, and also are punched with initials IFS, we assume the original owner. Welz describes orange spoons as"probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). Heller, in his book History of Cape Silver, describes orange spoons as "exquisite". Johannes Combrink of the famous Co...
Set of matching spoons in the French Fiddle and Thread pattern, in 800 silver, made in Germany post 1884, all with the same engraved initials (HB). The set includes 6 tablespoons (in original box), 6 teaspoons (in original box) and a soup ladle. The spoons were retailed in Berlin by H Zimmermann, (Juwelier on Orienstr). The 12 spoons were made by Wilkens & Sohne, the ladle by another maker (mark a clearly visible W with 2 people). The ladle has a gilt interior and flat bottom. Note: - these should not be confused with the term "german silver", which is an alloy and not silver as such.
A rare Cape silver mustard spoon, in the Fiddle pattern with gilded bowl, and excellent hallmarks. This is a lovely, well made spoon, with a marked angle at the drop, and pleasing proportions. The hallmarks include makers mark JT in damaged punch (Welz mark 123), and 4 pseudo marks (Georgian duty, lion passant, date letter a and tree mark). Heller does record Cape made salt and mustard spoons, and depicts 6 salt spoons in his book "History of Cape Silver" (pg 202, plate 67). Cape mustard spoons appear to be be much rarer than salt spoons, this is the only known example we have encountered. Note: We have now acquired an additional 3 Cape silver mustard spoons by John Townsend, see S 1971 (pair) and S 11082, which brings the total of known Cape silver mustard spoons to 4, all by Townsend.
A pretty boxed silver butter knife and jam spoon, with lovely terminal design, which has been cut out by hand. Both pieces are good quality and in excellent condition, they do not appear to have been used. The hallmarks are clear on both. This would make a lovely wedding present.
An interesting silver caddy spoon made to commemorate the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana in 1981. This is a lovely caddy spoon, quite heavy, excellent quality, and with a very pleasing design. The bowl is circular with stylised Prince of Wales feathers with Royal crown and motto "ICH DIEN". The handle is rectangular with diamond lozenge with the Spencer family Coat of Arms, 3 scallop shells between 2 devices, above Spencer family motto "Dieu Defend Le Droit", translated "God defend the right". The back of the handle is engraved "Des A. G. Styles, Garrard & Co Ltd, 42". It is also engraved with the name "George Ware" underneath the hallmarks, which are clear (we assume a previous owner). Alex Styles was one of Britain's leading silver designers of the 20th century, he spent most of his career as lead designer at Garrards, the Royal silversmiths, until he retired in 1987. The Times newspaper described him as "the finest designer of hand made silver in England" in 1966. He served with the RAF duri...
A lovely American Arts & Crafts sterling silver caddy spoon, made by respected silversmith Katherine Pratt. The spoon has an unusual but striking curved shovel shaped bowl with a flat terminated bowl edge, most caddy spoons have rounded bowls. The bowl edges are slightly raised, this is a well made spoon. The handle is long and elegant, and very practical for use. The spoon is stamped "STERLING" and "PRATT". These are in different fonts, the Pratt font is quite distinctive and typically Arts & Crafts.
Katherine Pratt (1891-1978) has been described as "America's foremost 20th century woman silversmith" although information on her is sparse and her silver is rarely seen on the market today. She graduated from the Boston Museum School in 1914, and trained under both George Hunt and George Gebelein, both leading Arts and Crafts silversmiths. She worked at the Handicraft Shop, and was recognised by the Boston Society of Arts (Craftsman 1916, Master 1918, and the prestigious Medalist Craftsman in 1931, the only fe...
Extremely rare marrow spoon (as opposed to the commomer marrow scoops), with a lovely shellback. Hallmarks are very distinct. Bennett was a well regarded silversmith who worked on London Bridge.
A rare Irish provincial silver toddy ladle made in Cork, but hallmarked in Dublin. The ladle is circular with a lip for pouring, and has a whale bone handle. The ladle is beautifully decorated, with embossed flowers, leaves and scrolls, on a stippled background. The pouring lip is decorated with a "sunburst" collar. The decoration is typical of the Irish silver of the 1820 period, with floral repousse (embossing) on a background stippled to a matt finish (Bennett, Collecting Irish Silver, pg 79). The whalebone handle is 4 sided, and has an unusual knop end, the circular knob set above silver banded decoration. The hallmarks are all very clear, including makers mark PG in oval outline (Cork mark no. 80 in Bennett).
The Dublin Goldsmiths company passed an act in 1807 requiring the Kings head to be stamped on all plate made in Ireland. As this could only be done in Dublin, it forced the provincial goldsmiths to start sending silver to Dublin for hallmarking. Garde, who worked in Cork between 1812 and 1845, appe...
A magnificent Scottish Georgian silver punch ladle, by one of the finest Scottish silversmiths of the period. The ladle has a circular bowl, finely decorated with bunches of grapes and vine leaves, the decoration is truly a work of art. The ladle has a lip which is also decorated, similar to a gadroon pattern. The handle is held in place with a traditional heart shaped plaque, this has a previous owners initials lightly scratched into it, hardly visible but a nice addition. The silver handle is also decorated with grapes and vine leaf. The original handle is wood, which has been turned into an attractive shape. The ladle is finished with a silver knob and cap, also decorated in the same fine grape and vine pattern. The ladle is a generous size and weight, is very good quality, and is in superb condition. The hallmarks are very slightly worn but still clearly visible, and include the Glasgow town mark, lion rampant, date letter G, duty mark and makers mark RG&S. Robert Gray worked in Glasgow from 1776, adding ...
A rare set of 6 Rose pattern Victorian silver teaspoons, by the highly respected firm of Elkington. These are the heaviest and best quality teaspoons we have ever encountered, each teaspoon averages over 44 grammes, no expense was spared when these were made. The pattern is double struck, and has good detail, with trailing roses, and Anthemion heel (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 131. The crest area has not been engraved. The hallmarks are clear, it appears the Elkington and Co Ltd makers mark is overstriking another maker, indicating Elkington purchased these from a specialist maker (possibly CJ Vander, who are known to have possessed Rose pattern dies, depicted in Pickfords book, pg 25) and overstruck their mark, a common practise. Pickford describes the pattern as rare, and he notes 2 different types (different heels). Close examination shows that these spoons have a slightly different design from the one depicted in Pickfords Flatware book (pg 131), with more leaves, so different dies must have been made.
A collection of 10 sterling silver and enamel souvenir spoons, all from Scottish towns. Eight of the spoons have enamel finials, one has additional enamel bowl, two are silver only. The spoons were made in Birmingham, London and Edinburgh, and two were imported from Europe. The dates range from 1900 to 1955. All 10 spoons have clear hallmarks. The 10 include:
1. Kilmarnock, Birmingham 1946, L Bros, Confide Virtute et Industria
2. Glasgow, Birmingham 1955, Barker Brothers
3. Edinburgh, London 1902, Saunders & Shepherd, Nisi Dominus Frustra, imported F mark
4. Glasgow, Birmingham 1926, Levi & Salaman, Let Glasgow Flourish, Cathedral in gilded bowl
5. Edinburgh, Birmingham 1900, Levi & Salaman, Nisi Dominus Frustra
6. Glasgow, Birmingham 1911, Joseph Cook & Sons, Exhibition 1911
7. Girvan, Birmingham 1902, William Henry Leather, Sigillum Burgi de Girvan
8. Dumfries, London circa 1900, imported F mark, Enamel bowl with High Street, Dumfries
9. Edinburgh, Birmingham 1926, Levi & Salaman, Nisi Dominus Fru...
A collection of 10 sterling silver and enamel souvenir spoons, all from a different British town. All 10 spoons were made in Birmingham, with dates ranging from 1900 to 1965. All 10 spoons have clear hallmarks. The 10 include:
1. Guildford, 1902, Levi & Salaman
2. Hastings, 1900, Levi & Salaman, Hastings Castle in bowl.
3. Morecambe, 1965, AJ Bailey
4. Blackpool, 1960, Turner & Simpson
5. Nottingham, 1955, James Fenton
6. Llangollen, 1909 Spurrier & Co
7. Carlisle, 1903, Levi & Salaman, Be Just and Fear Not
8. Canterbury, 1950, Deakin & Francis, Ave Mater Anglia
9. Isle of Wight, 1907, Spurrier & Co
10. Chester, 1951, Barker Brothers, Antiqui Colantantiquum Dierum
A Cape silver teaspoon, in the Fiddle pattern, by Johannes Combrink. The spoon has original owners initials HV engraved on the stem, the engraving is most attractive. The teaspoon has an unusual drop with incised curve. The spoon is marked with makers mark IC (Welz mark 30, Cape Silver, pg 147), this is very well struck and clear. Note faint scratch mark JER near hallmark, we presume a previous owner, visible in photo, not really visible normally unless you look close in good light.
A pair of Fiddle pattern Cape silver teaspoons, with original engraved initials "RHL". The teaspoons are a pleasing weight, and are well made, good quality spoons, well preserved. The spoons have a Colonial feel, the Fiddle is more flattened than English examples. The engraving of the initials is lovely, they also has a Colonial feel. The hallmarks are excellent on both spoons. The include makers mark JJV in an unusual 6 sided punch (Welz mark 161), pseudo sterling lion, and pseudo duty mark (Queen Victoria's head with good detail, and hair bun). Jacobus Vos worked from 127 Long Street, unfortunately he died young, age 27, unmarried, which is a pity as he produced good quality silver.
A Cape silver Fiddle pattern tablespoon, with a set of extremely rare Cape silver hallmarks. The hallmarks include makers mark LT, and pseudo marks that include date letter A, lyre and duty mark. These marks are shown by Welz in his book Cape Silver (mark 144, page 156), they are also shown by David Heller in his book History of Cape Silver (mark MM84, page 156). The makers mark, A and lyre mark are well struck and very clear, the duty mark is worn at the top. The date letter A is quite distinctive, with one arm much thicker than the other.
A scale replica set of the Tichborne Celebrities, probably the most famous of all English spoon sets, originally made by William Cawdell in 1592 (Kent, London Silver Spoonmakers). The set was produced in 1977 by the Heritage Collection of Bristol, commemorating the Silver Jubilee, in a limited edition of 5000 (this set is no 1814). The sets sold for GBP 250 in 1977, with a royalty paid to the Hampshire County Museum, who bought the original set at Christies in 1975 for GBP 85000. The spoons are sterling silver with gilt finials, and each spoon is hallmarked with 5 marks - makers device, STG (sterling), antelope head (South Africa), date letter D and set number 1814. The spoons are good quality, with very detailed finials, and each is engraved with its name, as per the originals. The set comes in original box, complete with signed certificate with information on each "celebrity", and a booklet describing the set, its maker, and information on Sir Robert Tichborne. The set comprises of the "9 Worthies" of medie...
A lovely and early George II double lipped punch ladle, with twisted whalebone handle, of extremely good quality. It is a good gauge and weight, much heavier than many we have seen. The bowl is fluted and is a generous size, and is joined to the handle with a double scroll. The base of the ladle is engraved "G over J+E", the engraving is contemporary and done by hand. The hallmarks are clear, and include the unregistered makers mark EA (Grimwade 3534) with 2 dots above and 1 below. Whalebone was heated under pressure with steam until malleable, and then twisted into ornate spirals, which hardened and retained their design after cooling (Helliwell, Collecting Small Silverware, pg 76). Aldridge worked between 1724 and 1765 in Foster Lane. He was tried at the investigation of the Goldsmith's Company for counterfeiting marks in 1742, but was acquitted by the jury (Grimwade pg 421).
An interesting 17th century style silver notched 2 pronged fork and matching spoon, the fork a replica of the earliest known English table fork. Both are faithful replicas of the puritan style, with 3 notches at the top of the flat stem. Both carry 2 family crests, the top a griffiths head and wings, the Montagu family crest, the second is a peacock in pride, the crest of John Manners, 8th Earl of Rutland of Haddon Hall, the owner of the original fork. This fork, made in 1632, is known as the Manners Fork, and is in the V&A museum in London. Frances Montagu was the wife of John Manners. The hallmarks are exceptionally well struck, they could not be better. They include makers mark "GOF Lo under star" for George Lowe & Son of Bridge Street, Chester, who date back to 1770 and who still trade today. They also include the Chester wheat sheaf town mark (struck in the spoon bowl as is usual for 17th century spoons), date letter and lion passant. The original box, marked "Lowe & Sons, Silversmiths, Bridge St Row, Ch...
A lovely set of 6 single struck Kings pattern with shoulders (Kings Front French Shoulder, Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 123) Newcastle silver teaspoons. The spoons are the larger size teaspoons, and have a good gauge, over 20 grammes each, these are pleasing quality. Single struck flatware is usually found in Scotland, it is unusual in England, where the patterns were usually double struck (pattern on both sides) The hallmarks on all 6 teaspoons are excellent, and include makers mark TS for Thomas Sewell I, who worked between 1846 and 1875. They include an additional 5 hallmarks, uncrowned Victoria duty mark, lion passant, three castle town mark, leopards head uncrowned, and date letter I in circular punch for 1847. It is clear the date letter and makers mark were struck individually, the other 4 marks struck together in a stub (the date letter punch overlaps slightly on 2 spoons). These are interesting hallmarks, the uncrowned leopards head was only used for 5 years between 1846 and 1850, when it reverted b...
A Cape silver basting (or serving) spoon in the Fiddle pattern, by Willem Godfried Lotter, one of the members of the famous Lotter family of Cape silversmiths. The spoon is engraved with initials CIT in fancy script, this is original. This is a good solid spoon, very suitable for use, the bowl is a good gauge and the tip is excellent. The hallmarks are clear, and consist of makers mark WGL between 2 diamond devices (actually square with a cross in the middle), mark 89 in Cape Silver by Stephan Welz. Willem Lotter worked between 1810 and 1835, his work is represented in the Paarl musuem. David Heller (History of Cape Silver) regarded Lotter as one of the top Cape silversmiths.
An interesting sterling silver replica of a Charles II trifid or lace back spoon, circa 1680. The stem is notched and decorated in traditional style, as is the back of the bowl, complete with rat-tail. The spoon is teaspoon sized, and very good quality, quite heavy to hold. The spoon is in it's original Mappin & Webb box, complete with Royal appointments to the Queen and Prince of Wales on the lid interior. The spoon also has it's original card, describing the origin of the spoon, it's decoration and an explanation of the hallmarks, making it an ideal Christening present.
A delightful antique silver Christening present, a child's feeding spoon decorated with a scene from J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, depicting Captain Hook, complete with hook and pistol, running away from the crocodile, with the Jolly Roger pirate ship in the background. The handle, which forms a circle (traditional baby feeding spoon), is also decorated with Peter Pan playing his flute, and 2 scenes with rabbits. The detail is lovely, as can be seen in the photos. The hallmarks are very clear, and include a registration number "Rd No 611912", indicating the design was registered to prevent copying by other firms. Levi & Salaman was established in 1870, and was merged into Barker Brothers in 1921 (Culme, Directory Gold and Silversmiths). They were highly regarded, particularly for good quality souvenir spoons. They made a number of variations of these nursery rhyme spoons, including "this little pig (S 1535) and "hey diddle diddle (S120) featured on our website. They also made a "little miss muffet" version.
A Cape silver salt spoon, in the Fiddle pattern, with original gilded bowl, and original owners initials TB. The original gilding is a light lemon colour, worn and scratched from use, but still clearly visible and quite charming. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark PD for Peter Clarke Daniel, alongside pseudo hallmarks date letter B in indented punch and Georgian duty mark (Welz mark 42, page 148, Cape Silver). Peter Clarke Daniel was born in Dublin, he arrived in the Cape with the 1820 settlers as a child.
A matching set of crested Georgian silver flatware, including 12 tablespoons, 2 sauce ladles, 2 saltspoons and butterknife, all of very good gauge and quality. The pattern is Fiddle and Thread, and all pieces have an interesting double crest, indicating a marriage between 2 noble families. The first crest is of a head and shoulders of a bearded man with unruly hair, the second a raised fist holding a halbeard. The saltspoons have gilded bowls to prevent corrosion. The butterknife is a later addition to the set (made in 1895), and only has the bearded man crest. The makers mark on the butterknife has been removed, possibly to allow the retailer to overstamp. Chawner was a prolific spoonmaker, he ran a large workshop of journeymen, whose individual marks can be seen on the spoons (devices include stars, bars, circles and triangles).
A rare Philadelphia coin silver teaspoon, in the American Fiddle pattern, made by John Townsend. The spoon has original owners script initials engraved on both sides, ALH on the front and AH on the back. The makers mark J.TOWNSEND in rectangular punch is clearly struck, this is a rare makers mark, not illustrated in the book "Philadelphia Silversmiths and related Artisans to 1861", by Catherine Hollan, which has over 3800 entries. The punch itself is interesting, the letters are not quite properly aligned, with the E lower than the S, so perhaps the punch itself was home made. John Townsend was born in 1789 in Pennsylvania, he was listed as a jeweller, clockmaker and watchmaker, he worked between 1811 and 1860. His son John K Townsend was born in 1809, he practised as a watchmaker and dentist, first in Philadelphia and later in Washington. Philadelphia was the largest silver market in the USA between 1760 and 1820. Our interest in this particular spoon is that Townsend shares a name with Cape Silversmith John...
A mixed set of 6 Cape silver dessert spoons, all in the Fiddle pattern. 2 spoons have original owners engraved initials (HR and WFS), one has the very faint remains of a family crest and engraved initial B, and 3 have no initials or crests. All 6 spoons have very clear Cape silver hallmarks, with no wear, showing quite a lot of different pseudo hallmarks used by Cape silversmiths, so an interesting collection. The first spoon is by Peter Clarke Daniel (PD, pseudo duty, pseudo date letter B, mark 42 in Welz), Daniel was born in Dublin but arrived in South Africa with the 1820 settlers as a child. The second is by John Townsend (JT, pseudo duty mark, date letter a, lion passant and duty mark, mark 123 in Welz). The next 2 are by William Moore (WM, Cape stub mark, Welz mark 100, one spoon also has an incuse D mark, either a journeyman or owners mark). The last 2 are by Lawrence Twentyman but with different hallmarks and made at different times (the Fiddle pattern noticeably different on these 2 spoons). The firs...
A lovely set of replica lace back trefid coffee spoons, perfectly preserved on original box, they do not appear to have been used. They are decorated in traditional style, both on the front of the stems and back of the bowls. The rat-tail is ribbed, the floral scrolls in relief are elaborate, with the pattern on the front matching the lace back back of bowl. The spoons ends also have the traditional notched pattern. All 6 spoons also have clear hallmarks, with FH makers mark for Francis Howard Ltd, who worked between 1900 and 2012. They are in their original box marked "H Perovetz Ltd, 51 Chancery Lane, London WC 2", Perovetz were leading London silver dealers until 1995. The set is also accompanied with its original explanatory card, "Sterling silver Charles II Trifid Lace Back spoon c1680", with notes on the spoon history, description, and explanation of all the hallmarks.
A set of 8 Fiddle pattern Russian silver teaspoons, with engraved contempory initial W, by the famous maker Sazikov. The spoons are of exceptional quality, and are in excellent condition, with perfectly preserved tips, and no scratches or dents at all. Sazikov was founded in 1793 by Pavel Sazikov, they received the Imperial warrant in 1846, meaning they were one of a few select firms chosen to supply the Russian Imperial family. All 8 teaspoons carry the Imperial Warrant double headed eagle hallmark, which is well struck. Sazikov produced very high quality silver until the Russian revolution of 1917, the firm being run first by Pavel's son Ignaty, later by Ignaty's sons Pavel and Sergei (Watts, Russian Silversmiths Hallmarks, pg 27). The hallmarks are very clear, and in addition to the Imperial eagle include Sazikov makers mark in Cyrillic, assay masters mark B.C. for Victor Savinkov, date letter 1862, standard mark 84 (zolotniks) and city mark for Moscow (St George killing dragon).
A Cape silver Basting spoon in the Fiddle pattern, with original owners engraved initials LIA in script. The spoon is a pleasing weight, and is in excellent condition, this spoon has not seen much use at all. The tip of the bowl has a strong lip, this is more a Continental than English feature, and the long rounded drop is also more Continental in style than English. The hallmarks are excellent, makers mark JT and 3 English pseudo hallmarks, duty mark, date letter a and leopards head town mark (Welz mark 121, Cape Silver). John Townsend (1800-1875) was an interesting character, descibed by Heller as one of the top 5 Cape silversmiths. He arrived in the Cape in 1821 on the ship Duke of Marlboro, and was involved in a number of businesses, including a hotel and auctioneering business, in addition to being goldsmith, silversmith, jeweller and watchmaker. He was embroiled in a number of court cases, mostly due to bad debt, in 1849 he stated "insufficient means to support his 10 children". He moved to Okiep in Nam...
A rare pair of Cape silver mustard spoons, in the Fiddle pattern with gilded bowls, with pseudo English hallmarks. The hallmarks include makers mark JT in damaged punch (Welz mark 123), and 4 pseudo marks (Georgian duty, date letter a, leopards head and date letter J, Welz mark 122, page 153). One spoon has excellent hallmarks, the second has good hallmarks, some slight wear. Heller does record Cape made salt and mustard spoons, and depicts 6 salt spoons in his book "History of Cape Silver" (pg 202, plate 67). Cape mustard spoons appear to be be much rarer than salt spoons, none are known in any of the Cape silver reference books. We have sold a similar Cape mustard spoon by Townsend, (but slighty longer and different combination of pseudo marks), see S 1818.
A Cape silver salt spoon in the Fiddle pattern, with original gilding to the spoon bowl. The gilding is a lemony colour, and quite well preserved, some scratches from use. The hallmarks are very clear, Welz mark 121, 3 pseudo English marks (duty, date letter a and lions head town mark) are individually struck. The makers mark JT looks like it has been double struck, this is still clear. John Townsend (1800-1875) was an interesting character, descibed by Heller as one of the top 5 Cape silversmiths. He arrived in the Cape in 1821 on the ship Duke of Marlboro, and was involved in a number of businesses, including a hotel and auctioneering business, in addition to being goldsmith, silversmith, jeweller and watchmaker. He was embroiled in a number of court cases, mostly due to bad debt, in 1849 he stated "insufficient means to support his 10 children". He moved to Okiep in Namaqualand in 1852 as Manager of Spektakel Copper Mine, but was insolvent by 1868. He died in 1875, and is buried in the Springbok cemetery....
A rare Dutch silver Hanoverian tablespoon (porridge spoon) made by Hendricus Johannes Wolterbeek in Nijmegen in 1770. The spoon has the usual central Hanoverian rib with strong turn-up, and a very wide circular drop, and a larger bowl than is usually seen. The spoon has an original engraved family crest of a well engraved crown above a stylised X, with flowing scrolls, this is on the back of the spoon, when spoons were displayed bowl down. The spoon's main delight are it's well struck and very clear hallmarks, including makers mark of crowned tree in irregular shaped punch for Hendricus Wolterbeek (1730-1805, he worked between 1755 and 1788). The second mark is a crowned double headed eagle city mark for Nijmegen, the third is a intricately crowned N 1st Standard (Grote keur, sterling 925 standard) mark for Nijmegen, the last mark is a crowned O date letter for 1770.
An interesting pair of cast silver acorn spoons, very good quality, with lovely naturalistic detail. The spoons have cast acorn bowls, the bowls are quite deep, the stems are modelled as a textured branch with nodes of baby acorns, the finial is also an acorn between 2 leaves. With the texture these spoons are pleasing to hold, they could be used for condiments, they could also be used as coffee spoons (although they are quite long). The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear, including makers mark G.W in diamond punch for Graham Watling. Watling began his career as a Royal Marine Commando, then moved to teaching Arts & Crafts, before becoming a silversmith around 1970, based in the National Trust village of Lacock in Wiltshire. He died in 1996, his children have continued the business in Lacock (www.watlings.com). Watling is represented by no less than 8 pieces in the Pearson Collection of post war British silver (www.pearsonsilvercollection.com), a testament of his ability. Watling features in the newly pu...
Lovely Colonial condiment spoon, complete with pseudo English hallmarks, which are clear, and engraved initials WJ. Condiment spoons are a similar size to English saltspoons, but the bowl is at right angles to the spoon stem, similar to English cream or sauce ladles. This spoon also has a half moon tally mark, which identified the indigenenous workman who finished the piece (see Wynyard Wilkinson's book on Indian Colonial Silver). The Lattey Brothers worked from 10 Government Street in Calcutta.
An extremely rare Cape silver dessert spoon in the Fiddle Thread without Shoulders pattern, to our knowledge Cape silver in this pattern is unknown, we have not encountered it before and cannot find an example in any of the known literature. The spoon is double struck (pattern on both sides), and has a single thread, but notably without the usual shoulder where the bowl joins the handle. The spoon also has a long drop, slightly different from it's matching partner, showing this spoon was hand made. The spoon is lovely quality, a pleasing weight, and in excellent condition. The hallmarks are excellent, a variant of mark 138 in Welz, Castle, date letter C, and Georgian duty mark, with makers mark LT, all well struck. We have a matching spoon, S 11120.
A rare Cape silver sauce ladle, in the Old English pattern, made by Johannes Combrink circa 1820. The ladle has a long drop, which given the date shows it's Colonial nature, and has nice proportions. It is engraved with an attractive family crest, a bent raised arm holding a dagger, this is very crisply engraved. The ladle has 2 makers marks, both clearly struck, (Welz mark 31). Johannes Combrink was born in the Cape in 1781, he married Aurelia Lotter in 1807 and died in 1853. He worked from Dorp Street.
A Cape silver sauce ladle in the Fiddle pattern, by Peter Clarke Daniel. The ladle has original owners engraved initials JEB, and has excellent hallmarks - makers mark PD, pseudo date letter B and pseudo duty mark with notable cusp (Welz mark 42, but struck in different order). Daniel was an Irish immigrant to the Cape, one of the original 1820 settlers. His father, who has the same name, was also a silversmith, he worked as a jeweller in Grahamstown.
A fabulous pair of Cape silver Old English pattern tablespoons, of the very best quality and condition, by one of the top Cape silversmiths. The spoons have strong tips, more Continental than English in style, and an elongated oval drop. The hallmarks are very clear on both, makers mark .JCL in rectangular punch between 2 seven petalled floral devices (a combination of marks 76 and 78 in the book Cape Silver by Welz, page 150). the .JCL mark is for Johannes Casparus Lotter I, who worked between 1766 and circa 1810, he was succeeded by his son (also Johannes Casparus Lotter II, 1811-1823) who used a JCL* mark, accompanied with the 7 petal floral devices. This combination of punches by different silversmiths is not unusual in the Cape, where punches were handed down and re-used. Johannes Casparus Lotter I produced excellent quality work (better than his son, according to David Heller, History of Cape Silver). The Lotter family produced over 12 Cape silversmiths between 1766 and 1879, their family tree is shown ...
A rare Cape silver mustard spoon, in the Fiddle pattern with gilded bowl, and excellent hallmarks. The spoon has original engraved owners initials "J&MB". This is a lovely, well made spoon, and has pleasing proportions. The hallmarks include makers mark JT in damaged punch (Welz mark 123), and 4 pseudo marks (Georgian duty, lion passant, date letter a and tree mark). Heller does record Cape made salt and mustard spoons, and depicts 6 salt spoons in his book "History of Cape Silver" (pg 202, plate 67). Cape mustard spoons appear to be be much rarer than salt spoons, none are photographed in the literature. We now know of 4 known examples, S 1818 (sold) and a pair (S 1971), in addition to this one.
A fabulous sterling silver soup ladle in the popular Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, with engraved Marais Family coat of arms, which is very clear. The ladle is a substantial size and weight, the quality is excellent. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark D&J W, for Daniel & John Wellby, who worked between 1827 and 1974 from Garrick Street, London. The Marais family coat of arms is described as "Azure, a chain sable fesswise, in chief a crescent reversed and a base of two hills vert" - Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 53, depicted on Plate 18, no 280, of the Bell Krynauw Collection. It dates back to Charles Marais of the farm Plasir de Merle, who arrived in the Cape in 1688, and was "murdered by a Hottentot on the farm in 1689". Note - we have other matching items with the Marais Family armorial.
A fabulous pair of Cape Silver lemoen lepels, (orange spoons), in excellent condition, and with very clear makers mark. The spoons are typical of the Cape lemoen lepels, with pointed terminal and bowl, the bowl itself eye shaped and quite deep. The spoons have typical Cape engraving, with a 4 petal flower and wrigglework along the edges of the handles. They also have a distinctive V joint connecting handle to bowl, the 2 v joints are quite different in angle and style, reflecting their hand-made character. The IC makers mark on both spoons is well struck and clear (Welz mark 32 with canted corners). Welz describes orange spoons as"probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). As far as we are aware, only Jan Lotter and Johannes combrink made lemoen lepels, probably between 1800 and 1815.
An interesting set of good quality sterling silver teaspoons, with an unusual Art Deco stylised floral design. The design has 3 leaves on a long stem between 2 bars, with balls (berries?) above and below the bars, oval above and round below. The top of the spoons has an oval shield and pointed terminal, this is quite an elegant design. All 6 spoons have clear hallmarks on the back of the bowl, with makers mark O.W&S, we believe Owen Williams & Sons of Sheffield. Any information about this design would be most welcome.
A fabulous pair of Scottish silver Hanoverian tablespoons, made in Edinburgh in 1753. The spoons have the traditional central rib, and double drop, the spoon bowls are oval in shape. These are quality spoons, around 75 grammes each.Both spoons are engraved with a family crest and motto, the crests are worn from polishing but still legible. The crest is a "broken terrestrial globe surmounted by a rainbow issueing out of clouds", above motto "AT SPES INFRACTA", translated "Yet my Hope is Unbroken". Above the globe is an Earls coronet, showing these spoons were owned by John Hope, 2nd Earl of Hopetoun, who lived between 1704 and 1781, he became Earl in 1742. The hallmarks on both spoons include makers mark K&D for Ker & Dempster, who worked between 1749 and 1771. This is followed by castle town mark, assay master mark HG for Hugh Gordon, who worked between 1744 and 1758. The 4th mark is date letter Y for 1753, this is slightly worn but still visible. Hopetoun House, which was completed by the 2nd Earl, still exi...
A fabulous Arts & Crafts silver child's spoon, with a hedgehog finial, made by Francis Cooper, son of the famous John Paul Cooper, who was one of the leaders of the Arts and Crafts movement. Silver by Francis Cooper is quite rare, and is seldom seen (see www.antiquesilverspoons.co.uk for a beautiful tea strainer by Francis Cooper). The spoon has a well modeled hedgehog finial, mounted on a disc with 6 supports, one support is part of the spoon stem detail. The bowl is hand hammered at the back but smooth in front, with the drop and rat-tail part of the bowl. The spoon is exceptionally well made, and given it's superb gauge is a delight to hold (if you have small hands!). The hallmarks are very clear, and include gothic script FC makers mark and the Queens head Silver Jubilee mark for 1977. Francis Cooper (1906-1980, so this spoon was one of the last he produced) worked for his father as a metalworker from 1924 until his death in 1933. John Paul Cooper was an architect turned metalworker, who headed up metal...
Magnificent pair of Arts and Crafts spoons by Sibyl Dunlop, one of the leading female practitioners of the Arts and Crafts movement. The spoons are in the shape and style of 16th century spoons, with fig shaped bowl, hexagonal stem and shaped finials. The spoons are cast, with hand hammered bowls, and have a cast finial that resembles a pineapple with scrolls on either side, resting on 3 rings. A furrow runs down the front end of the shaft of each spoon. These spoons are very good quality, with pleasing weight, lovely to hold and use. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear, including the SD makers mark. Dunlop (1889-1968) was born in Scotland, trained as a jewellery designer in Brussels, and opened a shop in Kensington Street, London. She specialised in Arts and Crafts silver and jewellery, often naturalistic in style. These spoons have been depicted and described in the book "Artists' Spoons" by Simon Moore, page 383, where they are described as "finely crafted, in classical mood (15/16th century) with ...
An Irish Georgian silver punch ladle, quite small in size, identical in form to the larger punch ladles, we are not sure if it is intended for punch or another liquid (bowl very similar in size to Scottish toddy ladles, so perhaps an Irish Whiskey toddy ladle?). The bowl is circular, with a substantial pouring lip, and angled handle, the turned wooden handle is stained black. The wooden handle is securely fastened with silver pin, we believe this to be original, with no repairs. The interior of the bowl has 3 hallmarks, makers mark J.T in rectangular punch, partially struck (due to curved surface) harp crowned for Dublin, and clearly struck duty mark for William IV, the punch with 4 indents, this punch was only used in 1831 and 1832. This particular makers mark is interesting, J.T in rectangular punch, it is not recorded by Bennett in his book "Collecting Irish Silver (highly recommended), it is recorded by Jackson (page 655) preserved on a pewter plate, but listed as unknown. Amongst the most likely candidat...
A Cape silver Fiddle pattern tablespoon, with a rare makers mark. The spoon has engraved initials CJP, these are original and Colonial, the P slants at an angle. The hallmarks are excellent, makers mark DH in serrated punch, surrounded by 2 circular punch devices, Welz mark 56. The serrated edge was not shown by Welz, but it is shown by Heller Vol II, page 122, mark NMM 19. This is significant as no other Cape silversmith used a serrated edge punch. Daniel Hockly is one of the few Cape silversmiths trained prior to arrival in the Cape, whose work is known from both areas. Hockly trained in London, was registered as a smallworker in 1810, and is known for high quality wine labels (Grimwade mark 470, 473, page 548). He emigrated to the Cape in 1819, one of the "1820 Settlers", he arrived in Algoa Bay (now Port Elizabeth) in 1820 on board the SS Chapman, with 256 other settlers, his wife Elizabeth and 3 children, their 4th child Fanny Chapman was born onboard. The family remained in the Eastern Cape, spending ti...
A fabulous Belle Epoque French silver 950 standard flatware set for 6, in the beautiful Louis XV pattern, by renowned Parisian silversmith Emile Puiforcat. This 12 piece luncheon or dessert set has 6 spoons and forks, finely decorated on both sides with scrolls and foliage, the pattern also extends around the top of the bowls, which is quite unusual. Louis XV is an early Puiforcat pattern, long out of production, so rarely seen today. The spoons and forks are lovely quality, the forks have long elegant tines, and are in excellent condition, with no monogrammes. Two hallmarks are present, makers mark EP in diamond lozenge, with penknife (un canif) between the letters, and French Minerve 1st Standard mark, with 1 next to forehead, indicating 950 purity (so higher purity than sterling 925). 4 Spoons and 4 forks have both marks clearly struck, 2 spoons and 2 forks have no hallmarks. Emile Puiforcat established his business in 1857 at 18 Rue Chapon, it still exists today and is known as of of the leading French si...
A pair of Georgian Irish silver serving spoons, made by William Ward of Dublin. The spoons are Fiddle pattern, we have described them as serving spoons as they are noticeably larger than tablespoons, very suitable for use as serving spoons. The spoons both have an interesting engraved family crest, a hand above heart, this is well engraved. The hallmarks are clear on both spoons, makers mark W.W (mark 580 in Irish Silver by Douglas Bennett, page 180), date letter I for 1805, and Hibernia and Harp Crowned in rectangular punches with canted corners. Note the absence of a duty mark, which only came into use in 1807 in Ireland. William Ward was a noted spoonmaker, he was freed in 1774 and died in 1822.
A rare Regency rose pattern punch ladle, this is a beautiful ladle. The ladle is gilded, and has an engraved rams head family crest on the back. The ladle is the shape of a soup ladle, but is noticeably smaller, hence our description as a punch ladle (bowl is 7.0 cm by 5.5 cm). The pattern is double struck, and has good detail, with trailing roses, and Anthemion heel (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 131). The hallmarks are clear, the makers mark is slightly obscured, but the Script H used by Hayne is identifiable. Jonathan Hayne was freed in 1804, he had a flourishing business, and was Prime Warden in 1843, he died in 1848. Pickford describes the Rose pattern as rare, and he notes 2 different types (different heels). Close examination shows that these spoons have a slightly different design from the one depicted in Pickfords Flatware book (pg 131), with more leaves, so different dies must have been made.
A magnificent pair of Arts & Crafts silver Apostle spoons, made by George Henry Hart of the Guild of Handicraft. The spoons are clearly made by hand, with cast finials and hand hammered bowl, with clearly visible hammer marks. The quality of these spoons is fabulous, we love them! The spoons have a stylised beaded rattail, quite unusual, but a lovely feature. The Apostle figure wears a hooded cowl, and has his hands crossed in front of his body. The figure sits on a traditional hexagonal seal top, the stem of the spoon is rounded. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear, including makers mark "GofH", (without Ltd, in use between 1900 and 1908). The Guild of Handicraft went into liquidation in 1908, the business was continued by George Henry Hart, who designed these spoons, possibly for Prinknash Abbey. The business is still operating today, and run by Julian Hart, great grandson of George Hart (see www.hartsilversmiths.co.uk), in the beautiful village of Chipping Campden, well worth a visit. We rec...
A set of 6 Irish Georgian silver Celtic Point teaspoons, with bright cut "Dublin Star" engraving. The oval shield under the star is vacant, this was originally intended for a family crest or owners initials. This engraving was popular in Ireland between 1790 and 1800, the bright cut glitters in candlelight, the Star pattern is unique to Irish silver. The 6 spoons were made by 4 different makers, and have very slight differences, but the hand engraving was done by the same hand, so we believe the set was assembled by the engraver. All 6 spoons are hallmarked with the Dublin Hibernia and Harp Crowned, no date letters are present (as is usual with Irish teaspoons of this period). 4 Makers marks can be identified, 2 J.S for John Shiels (1762-1790), one AM for Arthur Murphy, and one JB for John Bayly, the fifth mark is ?D, the last is not legible. Slight differences includethe shapes of the drops, and the bowl shapes, some move oval than others (very slight differences).
A pair of Irish Georgian silver tablespoons, with bright cut "Dublin Bow" engraving. The oval shield under the star is engraved with original owners initials CFS and AJS, possibly a husband and wife. This engraving was popular in Ireland between 1790 and 1800, the bright cut glitters in candlelight, the Bow pattern is much rarer than the Dublin Star pattern, the Star, Bow and Prince of Wales Feathers (unique to Limerick) are unique to Irish silver. The spoons have extended drops, and the hallmarks are very clear on both spoons. These include date letter X for 1794, Harp Crowned and Hiburnia in rectangular punch (first introduced in 1794), and makers mark I.D in oval punch for John Dalrymple, who worked between 1789 and 1794 (www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk). John Dalrymple is a rare makers mark, he was not featured in the book "Collecting Irish Silver" by Douglas Bennett, who wrote the definitive guides on Irish silver.
A rare set of Georg Jensen Beaded pattern ice cream (or sorbet) spoons (6), made in very limited quantities. The spoons are small teaspoon size, and have flat oval bowls for eating ice cream, the bowls are planished (hand beaten marks, hand forged). The beaded pattern (Kugle in Danish, Jensen pattern # 7) has a beaded pattern around the lower edge of the handle, it was designed by Jensen himself in 1916, described as "an elegant composition, that remains contemporary in design while imparting a timeless quality" - Georg Jensen, Tradition of Splendid Silver, page 267. All 6 spoons are hallmarked with Danish marks GJ in circular bead with 925 standard mark, and English import marks for 1925, with importers mark GS for George Stockwell & Co, (imported Jensen silver between 1909 and 1931).
A rare and lovely set of Fiddle pattern Cape silver tablespoons, by a rare maker whose work is seldom seen. The spoons are very good quality and weight, and are well preserved, these are substantial spoons. The drop is an unusual shape, has a colonial flavour. The hallmarks are excellent on all 4 spoons, makers mark JH in script and a device that looks like a bishops hat (mark 50 in Welz, Cape Silver). Heegers was born in the Cape in 1778, and worked between 1814 and 1830. In 1814-1816 he was recorded as a silversmith at 6 Roze street, and in 1829-1830 he was recorded as a silversmith in Graaff-Reinet, working with his brother Theodorus. A covered sugar bowl by Johannes Heegers is in the National Cultural History museum, depicted on pg 101 of Cape Silver by Welz.
An Irish Terrier Club sterling silver trophy spoon, which is in excellent condition. The spoon features a well modelled Irish Terrier head, which stands out in relief, on a shield under the banner which reads "The Irish Terrier Club". The spoon handle is pierced and engraved with an Irish shamrock, this is a lovely and unusual design for a spoon. The quality is excellent, the shield is cast silver, it is a pleasing weight. The spoon would have been specially commissioned by the club who wanted to present a more useful trophy than a medal. The club was established in 1911, and still operates today (although I doubt they still have such beautiful silver spoon trophies!), see www.irishterrierassociation.co.uk. The first president was the Marquis of Breadalbane, who was a noted antique silver spoon collector, so perhaps he drove the production of such beautiful trophy spoons. The hallmarks are clear, this spoon was made in Sheffield in 1924 by Martin Hall & Co Ltd, who worked between 1853 and 1962. Robert Martin ...
A pair of Arts & Crafts Danish silver tablespoons, in a modernist Georg Jensen style Martele pattern, with matching cheese knife. The pattern is planished, or hand hammered, (Martele is French for hammer, Gorham uses the Martele brand for its hand hammered range), this creates an uneven surface which reflects the light, so a very pleasing pattern. The pattern also has balls and scrolls. The spoons are hand hammered on the front side of the handle only, but the bowls are planished on both sides. The spoons have original owners initials CC engraved on the back, the knife has no engraving. All 3 items have 2 clear hallmarks, the Danish 3 tower silver guarantee mark for 826/1000 grade, with date letters (the spoons are 1925 and the knife is 1927). They also have assay masters mark CFH for Christian F. Heise, who worked between 1904 and 1932.
An early Victorian cast silver caddy spoon, with beautifully detailed vines, leaves and grapes. The spoon has an oval shaped bowl with pointed bowl end, the handle realistically modelled. The back of the bowl is partially covered with vine leaf and grapes. The hallmarks are clear, including date letter for 1844 and makers mark CR/WS for Charles Rawlings and William Summers, a well known business that traded between 1829 and 1897. They are known for very fine snuff boxes, wine labels and small items.
An early Cape silver Fiddle pattern dessert spoon, by one of the most highly renowned Cape Silversmiths, Johannes Casparus Lotter (I). The spoon has an engraved family crest of a bird (possibly a dove), this is well engraved. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark .JCL struck twice in between 3 floral devices with 7 petals. This particular combination of marks is not illustrated by Welz in his book Cape Silver and Silversmiths, it is a combination of marks 76 (a distinctive .JCL maker mark), only used by Johannes Casparus Lotter (I), and mark 78, where the 7 petal floral device is used by his son Johannes Casparus Lotter (II). These hallmarks are particularly well struck, so much so that damage to the bottom left corner of the makers mark punch .JCL can clearly be seen. This leads us to believe the punch was well worn, and given this is a Fiddle pattern spoon we can assume this spoon was made towards the end of his career. Given the floral device has only been recorded in work by his son Johanne...
A collection of ten sterling silver shipping and sporting souvenir spoons, 7 with enamel finials. The spoons include:
1, 2 & 3. Steamships SS Virginian, Tunisian, Mauretania, Chester 1906, Alfred Wigley, gilded bowls
4. SS City of Poona, JRE SS, Birmingham 1929, James Fenton
5. Wembley Bowling Club, Birmingham 1913, Birmingham Medallion Co, 3 swords crested medallion, lovely quality
6. Bowling medallion trophy spoon, Birmingham 1931, Turner & Simpson
7. Bowling shield trophy spoon, Sheffield 1936, Gladwin Ltd
8. Pretoria Golf Club, Miss Whitfield, Birmingham 1902, James Fenton, beautiful crest
9. Lady golfer, Birmingham 1921, Herbert Bushell & Son, nice detail
10. UK & PC Bulldog club, Mrs BH Arnold 18/1/13, London 1912, Robert Pringle & Sons, beautiful enamel bulldog.
A Chinese Export silver gravy straining spoon in the Fiddle pattern, also called a dividing spoon, with no engraving. The spoon, which is large serving spoon size, has a vertical divider with vertical slits in the bowl, this is fixed (some versions have removable dividers). The spoon is excellent quality, easily comparable with a top class English Georgian spoon. The hallmarks are excellent, and include pseudo duty mark, pseudo crowned leopards head (London town mark pre 1821), pseudo date letter P with cut corners, pseudo lion passant and makers mark WE WE WC. This is an imitation of the makers mark for William Eley, William Fearn and William Chawner. The style of the lettering in the makers mark is quite distinctive, the font is a little crude, distinctly different from the real Eley, Fearn & Chawner mark. The Chinese Export silver collectors guide (4th edition, pg 763-767) says this maker remains unidentified, but was responsible "for an astounding production of silver items, almost all in the European ne...
A magnificent Hanau silver serving spoon, commemorating the 100 year anniversary of Frederick the Great (Frederick II of Prussia), whose nickname was "Der Alte Fritz" (Old Fritz). The handle of the spoon is a very detailed full length cast figure, with detail on both the back and front. Frederick is standing on a plinth with the dates "1740-1786", the dates he reigned, on top of the Imperial Prussian Eagle and Crown. The spoon bowl (also cast) is heart shaped, with decorative flowers and foliage. The spoon is excellent quality, suitable for display or use.
Frederick, also Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, modernised the Prussian army and won military acclaim, so much so that even Napoleon regarded him as one of the greatest tactical geniuses of his time.
J.D. Schleissner & Sohne were Hanau's "pre-eminant producer of antique style silverware in the latter 19th century (www.925-1000.com), they exhibited at the 1893 Chicago and 1904 St Louis international expositions. The hallmarks are clear, and inclu...
A fabulous Dutch rococo silver teaspoon, made by the master silversmith Johannes Schiotling. The spoon has an asymmetric handle, with scrolls and foliage in C and S shaped curves. The spoon bowl is long and elegant, the drop is also asymmetric foliage. The quality and condition is excellent. The hallmarks include makers mark ISL in rectangular punch for Johannes Schiotling (1730-1799), a Swede from Gothenburg (freed 1753) who settled in Amsterdam in 1762. He specialised in rococo silver, his silver is now in numerous museum collections, including the Rijksmuseum. A portrait of Schiotling and his wife hangs in the Amsterdam museum, see below. The other hallmarks, all clear, include 934 standard mark, Amsterdam town mark and date letter K for 1794. The spoon has additional later hallmarks, Dutch dagger and makers mark AW9 for A Willemse, whoc worked between 1932 and 1941. We are not sure why these later marks are present, perhaps for inspection prior to export, we cannot find any signs of repair. Note - A Lead...
A sterling silver caviar spoon, with handle realistically modelled as a sturgeon, made by leading silversmith Sarah Jones. This a a cast spoon, good weight and has a lovely feel in the hand, the grip enhanced with all the detail on the sturgeon, we love this spoon! The hallmarks are excellent, well struck and clear on the back of the bowl. Sarah Jones is one of the 50 leading silversmiths profiled in the book "Designer British Silver, 1930-1985", by Andrew & Styles, a book which we highly recommend. "Her work is quirky and amusing, she is a superb modeller who produces charming animal studies. Her work is in the Royal Collection, a flower study is on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's dresser table (pages 266-271). This caviar spoon is a great example of her work, it may be a once off made on commission, as we have not encountered another example, much of her past and current work can be seen on her website www.sarahjonessilver.co.uk.
A rare Cape silver condiment ladle, the only one we have encountered. The ladle is Fiddle pattern, similar in shape to a salt spoon, but with a long elegant handle, 3 to 4 cm longer than a saltspoon. The hallmarks are clear, the Cape Stub mark with 4 pseudo English marks, and makers mark FW. The stub mark is slightly worn at the bottom, the makers mark is clear. Waldek had a long career in the Cape between 1830 and 1877, he took over Twentyman's shop on the Heerengraght in 1836.
An early Keswick School of Industrial Arts silver caddy spoon, instantly recognisable as Keswick from its distinctive arts and crafts design and finish, with planished bowl, fish tail handle and mock rivet punches. The Keswick silver hallmark was only registered in 1905, so this is one of their earliest silver spoons. Close inspection shows the rivets are not evenly spaced, so clearly struck by hand. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark KSIA in oval punch. The Keswick School of Industrial Arts was established in Keswick, Cumberland in 1884 by Canon Rawnsley, Vicar of Crosthwaite and Canon of Carlisle, and his wife Edith, as a metalwork class following the teachings of John Ruskin and William Morris. Many famous artists, including Harold Stabler and Leslie Durbin, were part of the faculty. Hand finished metal work proved a difficult competitor to machine finished work and the School closed in its centenary year, 1984. Although they produced furniture and furnishings, it is for their metalwork t...
A lovely set of 12 sterling silver demitasse or coffee spoons, with baluster finial. The spoon size and shape are nicely balanced, we really like these spoons. The hallmarks on all 12 spoons are clear, including makers mark B&S in serrated punch for Brook & Son of Edinburgh. Brook and Son were leading Edinburgh silversmiths and retailers from 1891 to 1939, they succeeded William Marshall & Sons.
A Cape silver soup ladle in the Fiddle pattern, it is quite large and of good weight, with a substantial bowl size, definitely larger than usual. In addition to it's large bowl, the handle is wider than usual, and the drop is large and rounded, more European in style than English. Overall it has a very appealing Colonial charm, quite different from English examples of the period, so probably from early in Twentyman's career, before his flatware more closely resembled English examples. The ladle has an original engraved owners crest, a running stag, the engraving also Colonial in style, the body of the stag a little too long, the engraving still crisp and clear, we really like it. The crest can be described as "Argent, a stag trippant attired and unguled", this is the South African crest of the McCarthy family (Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 205). The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark LT for Lawrence Twentyman, and pseudo English hallmarks (duty mark, castle town mark, and date letter C) -...
An interesting set of 6 Victorian silver teapoons and matching sugartongs, with a 15th Century soldier carrying a halberd. This appears to be a private pattern, we have not been able to trace it in the pattern books (all assistance welcome). The pattern is very detailed, both on the front and the back, we love these spoons. In addition to the soldier, complete with collar, the front has what could be an apple tree, the back has a shield (unengraved, intended for family crest) and a different flowering plant, with a stipple background. The spoons and tongs are also great quality and a good weight, as one would expect from Elkington. All 7 pieces are clearly hallmarked, they also carry a registration mark "RD105810", so Elkington protected the design. All the spoons are 1892, the tongs are 1893. Elkington was one of the leading British Silversmiths in the 19 and 20th centuries, they were founded in 1836, and are known for their excellent quality.
A Cape silver tablespoon in the Old English pattern, of good gauge, very suitable for use. Whilst the spoon is Old English pattern, the drop is definitely not English in style, it has a European flavour (which shows the different influences on Cape Silversmiths of the time). The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark WGL, this is very clearly struck in rectangular outline, which is unusual for this makers mark which is usually worn. The home made punch letters can clearly be seen, and the rectangular outline means it was struck early in his career before the punch became worn. The makers mark is between 2 oval "face" device marks, regularly used by Lotter (mark 88 in Welz, Cape Silver). We are not convinced this is a face as depicted by Welz, more research is required. The Lotter family are important in the history of Cape silver, with 12 members of the family known to have produced silver. Willem Godfried, who made this spoon, worked from 1810 - 1835, and is known for good quality work. David Heller described...
A collection of 10 sterling silver and enamel souvenir shooting trophy spoons, all with 2 rifles as the handles. Six spoons have crossed rifles, 4 spoons have enamel finials, and 7 are from Africa (Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia - now Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe), with one from South Africa. The spoons include:
1. Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve, RMSB 1952, bare chested labourer crest, London 1911, Wakely & Wheeler, gilded bowl, fabulous quality
2. Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve, bare chested labourer crest, London 1912, Wakely & Wheeler, gilded bowl, fabulous quality
3. Birmingham Forward, enamel city crest of mural crown and arm with hammer (industry), Birmingham 1902, Arthur Fenwick
4. NVR Blantyre Limbe, RMSB 1954, enamel crest of leopard, Birmingham 1952, James Fenton
5. NVR Blantyre Limbe, RMSB 1953, crest of leopard, Birmingham 1953, James Fenton
6. Northern Rhodesia Rifle Association, fish eagle holding fish, no hallmarks
7. Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces, Lion holding tusk, Sheffi...